Polls have closed in the Georgia 14th Congressional District special election to elect who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress.
The seat has been vacant since January, when Greene resigned following a months-long public fight with President Trump over foreign policy issues and the release of documents involving the Jeffrey Epstein case. A week before she announced her plans to resign, Mr. Trump said he would support a primary challenge against her.
Twenty-two candidates initially filed to run for the seat, but the number was reduced to 17—12 Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian and one independent—all of whom appeared on Tuesday’s ballot.
Among the top candidates are former District Attorney Clay Fuller, who was endorsed by Mr. Trump, former Republican state Sen. Colton Moore, and Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general who lost to Greene in the 2024 race for the seat. Harris has raised more than $4.3 million for the race, with about $290,000 in the bank.
Greene has declined to endorse anyone in the race.
Georgia Voters Anticipate Runoff Election
Voters in Rome, Georgia, anticipate returning to vote in what is likely to be a runoff election due to the number of candidates. One voter stated, “Too many people that feel they’re politicians — some I know personally that has no experience, that, you know, Washington would just swallow them up like it does most people.” Another voter said, “What I appear for in a candidate is share me your policies. That’s the problem that I have with both sides today. They attack each other, they hate each other, and they don’t ever obtain around to telling you what their actual policies are.”
Despite voter plans to return to the polls, Floyd County Republican Vice Chair David Guldenschuh noted concerns about a complicated election schedule, stating, “There’s real fatigue out there, and I sense and feel for them.” However, Guldenschuh does not believe the crowded field will harm the GOP’s chances of holding the seat, saying, “I think that, you know, we have an unusual situation here. We all appreciated and loved Marjorie. And when she and Trump had the falling out, we still supported both here in this district… So I do know that this district is very solid conservative.”
Vincent Mendes, chair of the county’s Democratic Party, expected Harris to advance to a runoff, but acknowledged it would require significant effort to flip the seat, stating, “We will have to work our butts off to make him win if he gets to a runoff, but that’s how we should treat every single election.”
A Race with National Implications
CBS News Political Director Fin Gómez explained that this special election extends beyond a single congressional seat, attracting attention from politicians nationwide as an indicator of the Republican Party’s current standing. Gómez stated the race could serve as an early test of Mr. Trump’s influence within the party, with his endorsement of Fuller.
The results could reveal whether the Republican base remains aligned with Mr. Trump after his disagreement with Greene. According to Gómez, “I do think that if Clay Fuller does well… that bodes well for the president, because that means Republican voters are still adhering to what the president says.” Conversely, a win for another candidate, such as Moore, could suggest the Republican base is less predictable.
Upcoming Election Stages
Given the crowded field, a runoff election on April 7 is likely. Georgia’s election rules require a candidate to secure a majority of votes. The eventual winner will serve the remainder of Greene’s term and will need to run again in the May 19 party primaries, potentially leading to another runoff on June 16. The primary winners will then compete in the November general election.
Ten Republicans, including Fuller and Moore, and Harris have qualified to run in November for a full two-year term. Mr. Trump carried the 14th Congressional District with 68% of the vote in 2024, and Greene received over 64%. Republicans aim to maintain this trend, while Democrats hope to capitalize on potential GOP division to narrow the margins in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Republicans currently hold 218 House seats, while Democrats hold 214.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to this special election?
This special election was called after Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress in January following a public dispute with President Trump over foreign policy and the release of documents involving the Jeffrey Epstein case.
How many candidates were on the ballot?
There were 17 candidates on Tuesday’s ballot—12 Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian, and one independent.
What happens if no candidate wins a majority in the April 7 runoff?
If no candidate receives a majority of votes in the April 7 runoff, the top two vote-getters will compete in a further election.
What impact will the outcome of this election have on the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives?
