The question “Who replaces Marjorie Taylor Greene” has become a major political focus after the former Georgia congresswoman stepped down from the U.S. House earlier this year. Her resignation left Georgia’s 14th Congressional District without a representative and triggered a highly watched special election that is now heading toward a decisive runoff.
Voters in northwest Georgia recently participated in a special election to determine who will fill the vacant seat. Because no candidate secured a majority of the vote, the race is moving to a runoff between two leading contenders: Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris. The winner will serve the remainder of the congressional term through the end of 2026.
Stay with this story as the race develops and the runoff approaches.
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Seat Became Vacant
The congressional seat opened after Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from the U.S. House on January 5, 2026. She had represented Georgia’s 14th Congressional District since 2021 and won reelection in 2024 with a strong margin.
Her departure followed a public political rift and growing tensions within national politics. The resignation left the seat empty, prompting Georgia officials to organize a special election so voters could choose a replacement to finish the current term.
Georgia’s 14th District covers a large portion of northwest Georgia and has historically leaned heavily Republican. The district includes communities with a mix of rural and blue-collar voters and has consistently supported conservative candidates in federal elections.
Special Election Draws Large Field of Candidates
The special election quickly became crowded, drawing more than a dozen candidates from different political backgrounds. Under Georgia’s election rules, all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party.
This type of “jungle primary” system means that if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff election.
That is exactly what happened.
When votes were counted, two candidates emerged as the clear leaders:
- Shawn Harris (Democrat) – retired brigadier general and cattle farmer
- Clay Fuller (Republican) – district attorney and Air National Guard lieutenant colonel
Neither candidate reached a majority threshold, forcing a runoff election scheduled for April 7, 2026.
The Two Candidates Competing to Replace Greene
Clay Fuller
Clay Fuller is a longtime prosecutor serving as district attorney for Georgia’s Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. He also serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Georgia Air National Guard.
Fuller campaigned on conservative priorities, including border security, strong law-and-order policies, and economic growth. His campaign attracted attention after receiving a high-profile political endorsement during the race.
Among Republican voters in the district, Fuller positioned himself as a candidate aligned with the “America First” platform and traditional conservative values.
Shawn Harris
Shawn Harris is a retired U.S. Army brigadier general and cattle farmer who previously ran for the same congressional seat in 2024.
In the current race, Harris focused on issues such as affordability, healthcare, and bipartisan cooperation. His campaign gained significant financial support and strong turnout in the initial vote.
Harris actually finished first in the initial round of voting, capturing a larger share of the vote than any other candidate. However, he still fell short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.
Why the Runoff Matters Nationally
Although Georgia’s 14th District has a strong Republican history, the runoff election has drawn nationwide attention for several reasons.
First, the outcome will determine who fills the seat in the U.S. House during a period when congressional margins remain narrow. Even a single seat can influence legislative dynamics in Washington.
Second, the race provides an early glimpse into the political environment ahead of the broader 2026 election cycle.
Finally, it offers insight into how voters in traditionally conservative districts respond after a high-profile resignation and competitive special election.
What Happens Next in the Election Process
The upcoming runoff election will determine the direct answer to the question “Who replaces Marjorie Taylor Greene.”
Here’s what happens next:
- The top two candidates face each other in a runoff election on April 7, 2026
- The candidate with the most votes in that runoff wins the seat
- The winner will serve through the remainder of the current congressional term, ending in 2026
Shortly after the special election is resolved, both parties will also begin preparing for the regularly scheduled election cycle that determines the next full congressional term beginning in 2027.
About Georgia’s 14th Congressional District
Georgia’s 14th District is one of the most conservative districts in the state. Located in northwest Georgia, it includes several counties and communities with a mix of rural and suburban voters.
The district has historically favored Republican candidates by wide margins in presidential and congressional elections. Political analysts often classify the area as strongly Republican-leaning.
That history makes the runoff particularly important to watch. While Republican candidates traditionally perform well in the district, the special election results showed a competitive field and strong voter participation.
What Voters Are Watching Before the Runoff
As the runoff approaches, several factors may influence the final outcome:
- Voter turnout in rural counties
- Party consolidation behind each candidate
- Campaign messaging in the final weeks
- National political attention on the race
Both campaigns are expected to increase outreach efforts as they try to persuade undecided voters and mobilize supporters.
The candidate who succeeds will step directly into one of the most closely watched congressional vacancies of the year.
What do you think about the race to fill this congressional seat? Share your thoughts and follow the latest developments as the runoff election approaches.