WASHINGTON: A US Democrat nearly claimed outright victory in Tuesday’s closely watched congressional primary in Georgia, heading to a run-off in a race Democrats tout as an early test of resistance to President Donald Trump.

Jon Ossoff, 30, finished first in a crowded field of candidates in a traditionally conservative sixth district, but failed to surpass the all-important 50 percent threshold.

With 88 percent of the vote counted, Ossoff was well ahead with 48.3 percent support, with the nearest Republican — former state secretary of state Karen Handel — at just 19.7 percent.

Winning the June 20 run-off will be a steeper challenge for Ossoff, however, as Handel will almost certainly benefit from her party coalescing around a single candidate in a conservative leaning district.

But Ossoff, a documentary filmmaker and former congressional aide, told energized supporters that he and Democrats “shattered expectations” with their performance.

“There is no doubt that this is already a victory for the ages,” Ossoff said.

“We will be ready to fight on and win in June.”

Democrats have hoped that Ossoff could capitalize on Trump’s lackluster popularity and make the race a litmus test of the president’s first 100 days.

A shock upset in the national spotlight, the argument goes, would deeply embarrass the president and could jumpstart a political revolution aimed at retaking control of the House of Representatives in next year’s midterm elections.

The Ossoff political threat drew the personal interest of Trump, who recorded a robocall urging Republicans to troop to the polls and block the Democratic upstart.

Early Wednesday Trump weighed in again, making the claim that a Republican finishing with less than 20 percent support was a victory.

“Despite major outside money, FAKE media support and eleven Republican candidates, BIG “R” win with runoff in Georgia. Glad to be of help!” Trump tweeted.