Trump’s Endorsement Tested in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Special Election

ATLANTA — Voters in Northwest Georgia’s 14th Congressional District chose a successor to former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday, months after her resignation following a public split with President Donald Trump. The election is being closely watched as a test of Trump’s continued influence within the Republican party and the enduring power of his “America First” agenda.

Greene’s Departure and the Crowded Race

Greene’s resignation earlier this year created a vacancy in a reliably conservative district, prompting a crowded field of candidates to compete for her seat. Her departure followed disagreements with Trump, most notably regarding the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and her criticism of his foreign policy decisions. The district stretches across 10 counties from suburban Atlanta to the Tennessee state line.

Trump Backs Clay Fuller

President Trump endorsed Clay Fuller, a district attorney in northwest Georgia, hoping to maintain his influence in the district. Trump publicly supported Fuller during a rally in Rome, Georgia, last month, praising his military service as an Air Force veteran and labeling him a “MAGA warrior.” Fuller has campaigned on continuing Trump’s policies and addressing the concerns of the district.

Challenges to Trump’s Pick

Despite Trump’s endorsement, Fuller faces competition from other Republican candidates, including former state Sen. Colton Moore. Moore, considered a staunch conservative, has emphasized his own commitment to Trump’s agenda and has gained attention for his past actions, including an arrest attempt to enter the Georgia State Capitol during the State of the State address. Some voters, like Less Dunaway, believe Moore would be more effective in carrying out Trump’s agenda than Fuller.

Democratic Hopeful Shawn Harris

On the Democratic side, Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general who previously challenged Greene in 2024, is running. Harris has significantly outpaced his Republican rivals in fundraising, reporting over $4.3 million raised and roughly $290,000 cash on hand as of February 18th. Georgia Democrats are hoping a crowded Republican field and Harris’ financial advantage will bolster their chances in the race, building on recent successes in state-level special elections.

Potential Runoff and Future Elections

With a large number of candidates on the ballot, no candidate will secure a majority of the vote, leading to a runoff election on April 7th. Regardless of the outcome of the special election, candidates will need to prepare for the May 19th party primaries and a potential June 16th runoff to compete for a full two-year term in Congress.

District Demographics and Political Landscape

Georgia’s 14th congressional district is heavily conservative. In the 2024 presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris received approximately 31% of the vote in the district, while Shawn Harris received about 36%.