US Republicans have won a closely contested congressional election in Georgia seen by many as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency. Karen Handel retained the Atlanta seat with 53 per cent of the vote, against 47 per cent for her Democratic rival Jon Ossoff. <br/><br/>The vacancy arose when Tom Price left to become health secretary. He had won the seat with a 23 point lead. In South Carolina, Republican Ralph Norman beat Democrat Archie Parnell in a solidly conservative area. President Trump congratulated both candidates.