**Excerpt:** Voters in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District head to the polls to select a new representative after Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation, with a crowded field of candidates vying for the position.
Key Points:
– **Election Date:** Polls open for the special election on Tuesday.
– **Candidate Field:** 17 candidates are competing, including 12 Republicans, 3 Democrats, 1 Libertarian, and 1 independent.
– **Runoff Possibility:** A runoff is likely if no candidate secures the required 50% majority.
– **Key Candidates:** Clay Fuller, endorsed by Trump, and Shawn Harris, a retired Army general, are notable contenders.
– **Voter Turnout:** Nearly 54,000 ballots were cast as of Friday, with polls closing at 7 p.m.
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Overview of the Election
Voters in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District are set to cast their ballots on Tuesday to fill the vacant seat left by former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene resigned amidst a public dispute with President Trump, prompting the special election.
Candidate Landscape
Initially, 22 candidates filed to run, but the number has been reduced to 17 due to withdrawals. The ballot will include all candidates, even those who have since withdrawn. The breakdown of candidates is as follows:
– **Republicans:** 12
– **Democrats:** 3
– **Libertarian:** 1
– **Independent:** 1
Given the large number of candidates, it is possible that no one will achieve the 50% majority needed to win outright. In such an event, a runoff election will be scheduled for April 7.
Political Dynamics
Republicans aim to maintain control of the district, which Trump won with 68% of the vote in 2024. Conversely, Democrats are optimistic that lower voter turnout could lead to a surprising victory, potentially narrowing the margins in the U.S. House.
Notable Candidates
Among the Republican candidates, Clay Fuller, the former district attorney for Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, has received an endorsement from Trump. Former state Senator Colton Moore, who resigned to pursue this seat, is also a key contender.
On the Democratic side, Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general who previously ran against Greene in 2024, leads in fundraising, having raised approximately $4.3 million by mid-February. Fuller follows with around $787,000 raised.
Additional Special Elections
In addition to the congressional special election, voters will also choose Moore’s replacement in state Senate District 53, as well as fill vacancies in state House Districts 94 and 130. However, these elections are unlikely to affect the Republican majority in the state Legislature.
Participation and Voting Details
Any registered voter in the district can participate in the special election. As of Friday, nearly 54,000 ballots had been cast. Polls are set to close at 7 p.m. on election day.
The outcome of this election will have significant implications for both local governance and national political dynamics.
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