Democrat Shawn Harris lost the runoff election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District on Tuesday to Republican Clayton Fuller but made significant gains in a district both President Donald Trump and former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene won decisively.
Fuller, a prosecutor and Air National Guard veteran endorsed by Trump, led by double digits as of Tuesday night, while Harris posted a significantly stronger showing in the district versus recent Democratic performances.
Newsweek reached out to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) via email on Tuesday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The result keeps a reliably Republican seat in GOP hands, but Democrats cut the margin sharply compared with 2024, underscoring a pattern of Democratic overperformance in recent special contests ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Greene resigned from Congress earlier this year following a public feud with Trump over his administration’s handling of the Epstein files and foreign policy decisions.
What To Know
According to the Associated Press, Fuller has 55.9 percent of the vote compared to Harris’ 44.1 percent as of 10:47 p.m. ET, with 99 percent of the votes counted. Fuller’s win in the district is by 11.8 percent.
Greene won the district in 2024 with 64.4 percent of the vote compared to Harris’ 35.6 percent, according to NBC News.
According to The New York Times, Chattooga County reported Fuller was in the lead by 40 points, but this spread is down from Trump’s 64-point win in 2024. Greene also won the county by 52 points in 2024, the outlet notes.
Democratic Party chairwoman in Chattooga County, Cynthia Hubler, told the Times: “I’ve talked to people who say, I’ve never voted for a Democrat before, but I am this time.” Hubler reportedly said voters were “disillusioned” by rising fertilizer and gasoline prices.
NBC News also reports that Trump won the district by 37 percent in the 2024 presidential election.
What People Are Saying
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, on X Tuesday: “Congratulations to Clay Fuller on becoming Georgia’s newest Congressman from the 14th District! I was proud to have appointed Clay as District Attorney and even more proud to now see him take that same fighting spirit to Congress. Keep Chopping, Clay!”
Fuller, on X Tuesday: “Thank you, President Trump, for your endorsement and support throughout this race. The results tonight are clear: Northwest Georgia stands with MAGA and demands a fighter on Capitol Hill defending the America First agenda.”
Trump, on Truth Social Tuesday: “To the Great Patriots in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District: GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY for a fantastic Candidate, Clay Fuller, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Polls are open from 7:00 A.M to 7:00 P.M. IF YOU ARE IN LINE BY 7 P.M., STAY IN LINE, AND THEY MUST LET YOU VOTE. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR CLAY FULLER — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Find your Voting Location at: swampthevoteusa.com/georgia/”
VoteHub’s Zachary Donnini, on X Tuesday: “This is insane — a historic night in Georgia. Democrat Shawn Harris just posted the largest congressional special general election overperformance in at least a decade. I can’t even find a dataset that goes back far enough to top it.”
What Happens Next
Fuller will serve out the remainder of the term through early January.
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