Georgia Special Election to Replace Marjorie Taylor Greene Heads to Runoff

The race to replace former Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is heading to a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in Tuesday’s special election.

Republican candidate Clay Fuller, who received the backing of US President Donald Trump, is projected to face Democrat Shawn Harris in the runoff to represent Georgia’s 14th congressional district.

The two candidates emerged from a crowded field of 17 contenders competing for the seat.

Trump gave Fuller his “complete and total endorsement” in a post on Truth Social and reiterated his support during a rally in Rome, Georgia last month.

Tuesday’s vote is being seen as an early test of Trump’s political influence ahead of the upcoming 2026 United States midterm elections scheduled for November.

Speaking on election night, Fuller credited Trump for his strong showing.

“For those of you who questioned how important Donald J Trump is to this country, to Georgia 14, and the state of Georgia, you see what this man means to this community, what he means to the people in this country, and what he means to the MAGA movement,” said Fuller, a former district attorney.

The runoff election between Fuller and Harris is scheduled for 7 April.

The winner will serve out the remainder of Greene’s congressional term, which ends in January. However, the victor will immediately need to begin campaigning again to secure a full term during the November midterms.

Harris finished with the highest vote total on Tuesday night, likely benefiting from a split among Republican voters across the large number of GOP candidates in the race.

In the runoff, Harris will face only Fuller, who is expected to consolidate Republican support.

By Wednesday morning, Trump had already moved to rally support behind Fuller.

“Clay Fuller is going to be a fantastic Congressman in representing the Great State of Georgia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Now we have to be careful and finish it off. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Democrats have also begun mobilising support for Harris. Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg congratulated him in a message posted on X.