Republican Clay Fuller has won the special election for Georgia's 14th congressional district, securing 56% of the vote against Democrat Shawn Harris's 44%, according to the Associated Press. The seat was previously held by Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned earlier this year. Fuller's margin of victory is significantly narrower than Greene's 28-point win in 2024 and 32-point win in 2022.
Democrats have hailed the result as a notable shift in the conservative-leaning district. Adrienne White Carden, a Democratic activist, said the swing to the left was 'incredible gains' and that a Democrat winning in the district was previously 'unfathomable'. Harris, a retired brigadier general, improved on previous Democratic margins by about 25 points, one of the largest gains against Republicans in special elections this cycle.
Both candidates have strong military backgrounds. Fuller is an air force reserve lieutenant colonel and military attorney who served as a White House aide under President Trump. Harris commanded combat troops in Afghanistan and Liberia and served as a military attache in Israel. The campaign focused heavily on the Iran war, which Harris opposed as a 'war of choice', while Fuller supported Trump's actions, calling Iran a 'death cult'.
Harris significantly out-raised Fuller, with $6.5m to $1.2m, but outside groups spent nearly $2m attacking Harris. Despite the loss, Harris said he will run again in November for a full congressional term. The race drew national attention, with actor Samuel L Jackson recording an ad for Harris and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg campaigning for him.
Republicans currently hold the House with a three-vote margin, and losing Greene's seat would have been a major blow. Melita Easters of Georgia Win List said the shift in the district should worry Republicans about future contests in the state.
