Speaker Ryan: 'Stakes as high as they could ever be'

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The fight for the 6th Congressional seat in Georgia heated up once again Monday as Karen Handel and Jon Ossoff campaigned across the district – which covers parts of Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb counties.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan turned out for Handel earlier in the day and several local bands performed Monday evening at a fundraiser for Ossoff.

In an exclusive interview with Channel 2's Richard Elliot, Ryan said health care reform is at the top of their agenda.

“We’ve got an enormous and important agenda,” Ryan said. “Obamacare is failing. It’s really important that we have Karen’s help.”

Ryan’s said the controversial GOP Healthcare plan that passed the House is based on legislation pushed by former 6th District Congressman Tom Price, now the Health and Human Services Secretary.

“Karen Handel is experienced. Her talent, I think people know that. They know she shares their values so I’m here to thank people. We need Karen Handel in Congress to get things done," Ryan said.

Ryan rallied with Handel at the Marriot Perimeter Center in Dunwoody.

"This is an election about who is best suited to represent the people of the 6^th District," Handel told Elliot. "They want someone they can trust, someone who has a track record, someone who has been a part of their community."

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Later on in the evening, Channel 2's Carl Willis went to a fundraiser for Jon Ossoff.

“What it's really about is voters in the 6th District who are tired of the national political circus,” Ossoff told Willis. "I’m trying to make sure the folks know that I’m an independent minded voice for this district."

Ossoff touched on health care, saying yes, change is needed, but not the way Republicans want to do it.

"We need to fix what's broken and keep what works with Obamacare. I don't think we should throw 24 million Americans off their health insurance," Ossoff said.

Handel said Monday it's all hands on deck for her campaign. Ossoff told Willis that his campaign is working to get his message out to young voters.

"I'm reaching out to voters in every corner of the district across the political spectrum with humility, with respect, making the case that we need some fresh, independent-minded leadership," Ossoff told Willis.

Early voting starts on May 30. Election Day for the 6^th District race is June 20.

Cox Media Group