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A crowded field of 22 candidates has emerged in the race to fill former U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, setting the stage for what promises to be a marathon electoral contest in one of the state’s most conservative regions.
The special election, scheduled for March 10, has attracted 17 Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian, and one independent candidate. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on April 7.
Greene’s departure earlier this month marks the end of her controversial five-year tenure in Congress, during which she became known for her provocative right-wing positions and confrontational style.
The 14th District spans from Atlanta’s northwest suburbs through ten counties to the Tennessee border and is considered Georgia’s most Republican-leaning district according to the Cook Political Report. The district’s conservative voters embraced Greene in 2020 when she won the seat after initially launching a campaign in a more competitive district closer to Atlanta.
Among the Republican frontrunners is Clay Fuller of Trenton, who resigned as district attorney for four counties along the Tennessee border to enter the race. Fuller is no stranger to this contest, having finished fourth in the 2020 Republican primary that Greene ultimately won. He was appointed district attorney in 2023 before winning a full term in 2024.
State Senator Colton Moore, also from Trenton, represents another high-profile GOP candidate. Moore, who works as an auctioneer, built a right-wing following during his legislative career through his alliance with the Freedom Caucus.
Nicky Lama, a Dalton City Council member first elected in 2023, has positioned himself as a “next-generation conservative.” Georgia law required Fuller, Lama, and Moore to resign from their positions to pursue the congressional seat.
Brian Stover of Dallas, a former Paulding County commissioner who owns a waste management company, has already begun purchasing television advertising and may leverage his business success to self-finance his campaign.
The Republican field also includes veteran party activists Jim Tully, former chairman of Republicans in the 14th District and a previous field representative for Greene, as well as Trey Kelly, an insurance and financial consultant who formerly chaired the Fulton County Republican Party.
Other Republican candidates include military veterans, business owners, local officials, and professionals from across the district. The diverse Republican field reflects the high stakes of securing a seat in one of the nation’s most solidly conservative districts.
On the Democratic side, Shawn Harris, who lost to Greene in the 2024 general election, is seeking another chance at the seat. The retired Army general and Cedartown farmer had already built a substantial war chest, raising nearly $1.3 million between May and September last year in preparation for a 2026 challenge against Greene. Political writer Jim Davis of Floyd County and patent representative Jon Hobbs of Dallas round out the Democratic field.
Libertarian Andrew Underwood of Rome and independent candidate Rob “Rush” Ruszkowski of Rising Fawn complete the ballot, offering voters alternatives outside the two major parties.
The special election creates a complex electoral calendar for candidates. Most will likely file to run in the regular election’s party primaries in early March, before knowing the outcome of the special election. This means candidates could potentially face multiple rounds of voting—the March special election, a possible April runoff, May party primaries, potential June runoffs, and finally the November general election.
This compressed schedule will test candidates’ organizational strength, financial resources, and voter appeal across multiple electoral contests in a single year. For voters in Georgia’s 14th District, 2024 will feature an unusually prolonged opportunity to select their next representative in Congress.
The outcome will determine who succeeds Greene in representing this deeply conservative district and whether her successor will continue her confrontational approach or chart a different course in Washington.
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7 Comments
This race could have major implications for commodities markets and energy policy. I’m curious to see how the candidates plan to attract new mining and mineral processing investments to the region.
The 14th District’s conservative leanings suggest the next representative may take a pro-business stance on mining and energy. But I hope they also prioritize environmental sustainability.
The mining and energy sectors are crucial for Georgia’s economy. I hope the candidates put forward clear, pragmatic plans to support these industries while also addressing environmental concerns.
Agreed. A balanced, fact-based approach will be key to serving the district’s interests.
With the rise in global demand for critical minerals like lithium and rare earths, I wonder if any of the candidates have specific proposals to develop Georgia’s own natural resources.
Interesting to see so many candidates vying for this conservative seat. I wonder how the frontrunners’ policy platforms on mining, energy, and commodities compare. Will be watching this race closely.
Yes, with Greene’s departure, it will be important for voters to assess each candidate’s stance on critical natural resource issues.