Greene’s Exit Thins GOP Majority, Sparks Georgia Free-for-All

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s departure from Congress will trigger a speedy and jam-packed special election to complete the House term of the Georgia Republican firebrand who fell out of favor with President Donald Trump.

Greene is resigning Monday after five years representing Georgia’s 14th District, a Republican stronghold in the northwestern part of the state the GOP expects to retain with ease in a special election.

Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has 10 days to call an election that must be held at least 30 days afterward. Candidates of all political affiliations will appear on one ballot. If no one wins a majority of all votes, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff election four weeks later.

A runoff is likely given about 20 Republicans filed candidacy paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to seek a district that favored Trump by 69%-31% in the 2024 election, according to Bloomberg Government data. The winner would have an advantage ahead of the November election for a full, two-year term.

The Republican hopefuls include Clayton Fuller, a prosecutor and Air Force veteran; Brian Stover, a former county commissioner; Colton Moore, a state senator; and Jim Tully, who formerly led the Republican Party in the congressional district.

Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired Army general who lost 64%-36% to Greene in 2024, is running again.

Kemp is expected to schedule the election as soon as possible, given Greene’s departure will narrow the already-tight House Republican majority to 219-213 and will make it a little harder for GOP leaders to advance legislation. Lawmakers have until Jan. 30 to avert another government shutdown.

Greene announced her resignation in November, after Trump castigated her as a “traitor” for helping lead an effort to compel the Justice Department to release the files of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

There are two other House vacancies, both in districts vacated by Democrats. In Texas’ 18th District, two Democrats are competing in a Jan. 31 runoff to replace the late Sylvester Turner (D). In New Jersey’s 11th District, the winner of an April 16 special election will complete the term of Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D).