Local

Handel on suspicious envelopes: 'My neighbors and friends are off-limits'

ATLANTA — Letters sent to Karen Handel, news outlets and others did not contain dangerous materials according to initial field tests.

The FBI, however, says authorities will conduct additional tests on the suspicious white powder.

One delivery was sent to the home of Republican Karen Handel, a candidate in Georgia's 6th Congressional District runoff election. Several of her neighbors also received the envelopes.

The FBI says all the letters contained "threat based content" but have thus far tested negative for hazardous materials.

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Handel and Democrat Jon Ossoff are both calling for more calm and civility in the final days before the runoff election.

“I don’t care which side of the political aisle you’re on, it’s gone too far,” Handel told Channel 2’s Richard Elliot on Friday.

Handel says she feels particularly bad that her neighbors got dragged into this.

“Steve and I talked about running, and made a conscious decision about running for office. Always, that could come with some risk, but my neighbors and my friends are off-limits,” Handel said.

As both federal and local authorities try to figure out who sent the letters, Ossoff said everyone needs to elevate the political discourse and keep away from divisiveness.

“At a time of so much division and rancor, it is incumbent upon leaders to appeal to our better angels, and we need national unity, law and order, civility,” Ossoff said.

Both Handel and Ossoff said they’ve received threats over the past few weeks.

On Election Day, count on WSBTV.com and Channel 2 Action News for coverage throughout the day. We’ll be with both candidates and have live, real-time results as they come in.

CLICK HERE for complete coverage of the 6th District runoff!