Handel targets Deal's ethics woes in Georgia runoff

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel (R) is trying to capitalize on reports that her rival, former Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.), is the target of a federal grand jury investigation.

Deal denied the claim Wednesday evening, but Handel is up Thursday with a new TV ad that hits the former congressman for being a "corrupt relic of Washington, D.C."

Handel and Deal are competing in the Aug. 10 runoff for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Her first TV ad sought to distinguish Handel through her lipstick. Now this 30-second spot notes she "carries a purse" and not "baggage." It also touts her endorsement from Sarah Palin.

The ad is up primarily on broadcast in the Atlanta media market, which covers more than half the GOP primary electorate, according to a Handel spokesman. Fred Davis of the California-based firm Strategic Perception is producing Handel's spots.