atlanta costly u.s. congressional race history decide tuesday suburban atlanta america divisive political climate display election see analysts political test president donald trump days lone gunman open fire u.s. lawmakers baseball team practice virginia conservative group run tv ad atlanta evidence appear link democratic candidate jon ossoff shoot spree ossoff call ad shameful statement atlanta journal-constitution newspaper report ossoff republican opponent karen handel also condemn ad ugly last-minute twist ossoff-handel contest u.s. house representatives seat vacate tom price resign become trump secretary health human service department total spend georgia race candidates top 56 million include tens millions outside group accord center responsive politics campaign finance watchdog washington d.c. easily top previous record 29.5 million set 2012 florida race total 51.9 million spend handel ossoff center responsive politics say envelop contain white powder turn last week home mailboxes handel neighbor prompt probe federal bureau investigation washington post report powder bake soda candidates travel bodyguards district span affluent increasingly diverse suburbs north atlanta elect republicans decades trump carry percentage point 2016. ossoff 30 initially draw national attention slogan make trump furious inspire volunteer far away oregon knock doors make phone call handel 55-year-old former georgia secretary state paint ossoff inexperienced tool national liberal interest live district hop represent like ossoff handel rarely mention trump whatever outcome race significantly alter balance power washington republicans control house wide margin victory could provide blueprint democrats win outside urban coastal strongholds democrats fell short special house elections early year kansas montana district trump double-digits also tuesday race south carolina republicans expect win handily replacement republican mick mulvaney trump budget director georgia costly u.s. house race hit ugly note election loom