Georgia Voters Choose Successor To Marjorie Taylor Greene/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Voters in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District are casting ballots to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The crowded special election features multiple Republicans, Democrats and other candidates. If no candidate wins a majority, the race will advance to a runoff before the 2026 midterm elections.
Georgia Special Election to Replace Marjorie Taylor Greene Quick Looks
- Georgia voters are choosing a replacement for former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
- Greene resigned from Congress after a political dispute with President Donald Trump.
- The special election includes 12 Republicans, three Democrats, a Libertarian and an independent.
- Republican Clay Fuller is endorsed by Trump and hopes to avoid a runoff.
- Former state Sen. Colton Moore is another prominent Republican candidate.
- Democrat Shawn Harris is campaigning as a moderate voice for the district.
- A runoff election will be held April 7 if no candidate wins a majority.
- The winner will complete the remainder of Greene’s congressional term.
- Candidates seeking a full two-year term must run again later this year.
- The district is considered one of the most Republican-leaning in Georgia.
Deep Look
Georgia Voters Decide Who Will Replace Marjorie Taylor Greene
Voters across northwest Georgia are heading to the polls in a special election to choose a successor to former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose resignation earlier this year created an unexpected vacancy in the state’s 14th Congressional District.
The election marks the first step in what could become a lengthy political battle for control of the deeply conservative seat that stretches across 10 counties from the outer suburbs of Atlanta to the Tennessee state line.
Because of the large number of candidates running in the all-party special election, it is widely expected that the contest may head to a runoff before a winner is declared.
Trump-Endorsed Candidate Leads Republican Field
Among the top contenders is Republican Clay Fuller, a district attorney who has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Fuller has campaigned heavily on his support for Trump’s “America First” agenda and hopes to win the race outright without needing a runoff.
During a rally in Rome, Georgia, before Trump spoke to supporters in February, Fuller urged voters to deliver a decisive victory.
“We need to win this thing on March 10 and send an America First warrior to fight for President Trump,” Fuller told the crowd.
However, with a crowded field that includes numerous Republican candidates, securing more than 50% of the vote could prove difficult.
Large Field of Candidates
The special election ballot includes a wide mix of candidates from multiple political parties.
A total of 17 candidates are running:
- 12 Republicans
- 3 Democrats
- 1 Libertarian
- 1 Independent
Although five Republicans withdrew from the race earlier, the ballot remains crowded, making a runoff likely.
If no candidate receives a majority of votes Tuesday, the top two vote-getters will face each other in a runoff election scheduled for April 7.
Other Key Candidates in the Race
Another prominent Republican candidate is Colton Moore, a former Georgia state senator known for his strong support among far-right activists.
Moore gained national attention for his vocal criticism of the prosecution of Trump in Georgia related to alleged election interference.
Democrat Shawn Harris is also competing in the race. Harris, a cattle farmer and retired military general, has campaigned on a message of moderation and local problem-solving.
He has pledged to focus on economic issues and community needs in the largely rural district.
Despite Harris’ campaign, political analysts say Democrats face a steep challenge in the district.
According to the Cook Political Report, Georgia’s 14th Congressional District is the most Republican-leaning district in the state, making it difficult for Democratic candidates to win.
Special Election Only Fills Remainder of Term
Even after Tuesday’s vote, the political contest in the district will not be over.
The special election winner will only serve the remaining months of Greene’s congressional term.
Candidates who want to continue serving beyond January must run again in the regular election cycle later this year.
Party primaries for the full two-year term are scheduled for May 19, with a possible party runoff on June 16. The general election will take place in November.
Last week, 10 Republican candidates and Democrat Harris officially qualified to run in that November election.
Both Fuller and Moore are expected to compete again in that race regardless of the outcome of the special election.
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigned
The special election was triggered by Greene’s resignation from Congress earlier this year following a high-profile political dispute with President Trump.
She rose to national prominence as a vocal supporter of Trump and a leading figure in the conservative wing of the Republican Party.
After Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden, Greene remained one of his strongest allies, repeating claims that the election had been stolen.
She later campaigned alongside Trump during his 2024 presidential run, appearing at rallies across the country wearing the campaign’s signature red “Make America Great Again” hat.
However, tensions between the two politicians grew last year.
Greene criticized Trump’s foreign policy positions and publicly questioned his handling of documents related to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The conflict intensified when Trump and other Republican leaders discouraged Greene from running for higher offices such as U.S. Senate or governor.
Eventually, Trump signaled that he would support a primary challenger against her in the House race.
Within a week, Greene announced she would resign from Congress.
House Majority at Stake
The outcome of the special election could also have broader implications for control of Congress.
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, controlling 218 seats compared to 214 held by Democrats.
Returning another Republican to the seat would strengthen the party’s hold on the chamber, though the district’s strong conservative tilt makes a Democratic upset unlikely.
Still, the race offers an early glimpse into voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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