The race to replace U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District is rapidly taking shape, with a large and diverse field of candidates already qualified or in the process of qualifying.
KWN News Now has learned that 19 candidates have qualified so far for the special election, including 16 Republicans, two Democrats, and one independent. The qualifying deadline is 1 p.m. Wednesday. After that time, no additional candidates may enter the March 10 special election to fill the congressional seat.
Under Georgia’s Constitution, elected officials at the state, county, or municipal level who qualify for another office may be required to resign their current position.
“If there is more than a 30-day gap in their term, their office will be declared vacant upon qualifying for the new office they are seeking,” said Robert Sinners, spokesperson for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.
The 30-day gap refers to how much overlap exists between a candidate’s current term and the term of the office they are seeking. At least three candidates fall into that category, while a fourth, Jim Tully, resigned as chair of Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Republican Party shortly before announcing his campaign.
Several local resignations have already occurred as a result of the congressional race.
Nicky Lama of Dalton resigned from the Dalton City Council on January 7, prior to the start of the qualifying period on January 12, according to a city press release. Lama was first elected to the council in 2023 after a previous council resigned and was reelected unopposed in November. His resignation allows time for a special election to fill his seat, which has been scheduled for March 10 to coincide with the congressional special election. The qualifying period for the council seat opens at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Clay Fuller of Lookout Mountain also vacated his elected office after qualifying for the congressional race. Fuller had been serving as district attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which includes Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker counties. According to Sinners, Fuller vacated the position after paying the qualifying fee Monday. He was appointed district attorney in 2023 and won a full term in the 2024 general election.
Under Georgia law, the chief assistant district attorney will assume the duties of district attorney until a replacement is appointed by the governor. The circuit currently has two chief assistant district attorneys, Deanna Reisman and Lynsay Chapman. An appointed district attorney will serve until voters elect a new DA in a special election during the next general election in November.
Colton Moore of Trenton also resigned his elected office after qualifying for the congressional race. Moore vacated his seat as state senator for District 53 on Monday morning, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. District 53 includes Dade, Walker, Chattooga, and parts of Floyd County.
A special election to fill Moore’s seat must be set within 10 days of his resignation. The election will be held between 30 and 60 days after the date is set, and several candidates have already announced plans to run.
The special election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District is scheduled for March 10, with the crowded field expected to narrow as voters head to the polls.