Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 10: Voters in the US state of Georgia headed to the polls on Tuesday to elect a successor to Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene in a closely watched special election for the US House of Representatives.
The race has attracted national attention as it is seen as an early test of President Donald Trump’s influence in one of the most conservative districts in the country.
Trump has endorsed Clay Fuller, a former district attorney representing four northwest Georgia counties. However, Colton Moore, a hard-right former state senator who describes himself as “Trump’s No.1 defender”, is also seeking support from the president’s core activist base.
With as many as 17 candidates contesting the election, observers expect no candidate to secure a majority of votes. This would likely lead to a runoff election between the top two candidates on April 7.
Democrat Shawn Harris is also in the race and is attempting to attract disillusioned Republican voters, though analysts say the district’s strong conservative leanings make a Democratic victory unlikely.
Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, stretching from the outskirts of Atlanta to the Tennessee border, gained national prominence after Greene won the seat in 2020 and emerged as one of the most outspoken figures in the “Make America Great Again” movement.
Greene stepped aside in January following a bitter split with Trump, prompting the special election to fill the seat.
Political observers say a strong showing by Fuller would highlight Trump’s continued influence over Republican voters in the district, while a weaker performance could signal a shift within the party’s base.
The winner of the special election will serve through the end of 2026 but will have to contest again for a full two-year term starting in January 2027.
The race also comes amid heightened political tensions in the United States following recent military action by the US and Israel against Iran, though analysts note that many voters remain primarily focused on domestic issues such as the economy and healthcare.