Several Local Officials Vacate Offices as Congressional Race Triggers Georgia Resign-to-Run Law
NORTHWEST GEORGIA — Several elected officials across Northwest Georgia have resigned or vacated their offices after qualifying to run in the special election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, in accordance with Georgia’s constitutional “resign-to-run” requirements.
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 insufficient overlap between their current term and the term of the office they are seeking.
“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 rule refers to the amount of overlap between an official’s current term and the term of the office they are seeking. If the overlap is less than 30 days, the current office is automatically vacated upon qualifying.
Multiple Vacancies Triggered by Congressional Qualifying
At least three candidates in the crowded congressional race fell under the resign-to-run provision. A fourth candidate, Jim Tully, resigned as chair of the Georgia 14th Congressional District Republican Party shortly before announcing his campaign.
Several local resignations have already taken place as a direct result of the congressional race.
District Attorney Position Vacated
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 the Secretary of State’s Office, Fuller vacated the position after paying the qualifying fee earlier this week. Fuller was appointed district attorney in 2023 and won a full term in the 2024 general election.
Under Georgia law, the chief assistant district attorney assumes 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 held during the next general election in November.
State Senate Seat Vacated
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.
Georgia Senate District 53 includes Dade, Walker, Chattooga, and parts of Floyd County.
A special election to fill Moore’s Senate seat must be scheduled within 10 days of his resignation. Once set, the election will be held between 30 and 60 days later. Several candidates have already announced plans to seek the seat.
Dalton City Council Vacancy
Nicky Lama, a Dalton City Council member, resigned from his seat on January 7, ahead of the congressional qualifying period that began January 12, according to a city press release.
Lama was first elected to the council in 2023 after a previous councilmember resigned and was reelected unopposed in November. His resignation allows time for a special election to fill the vacant seat, which has been scheduled for March 10, the same day as the congressional special election.
The qualifying period for the Dalton City Council seat opened at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Congressional Election Set for March 10
The special election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District is scheduled for March 10, with a large and diverse field of candidates expected to narrow as voters head to the polls. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election will follow.
As qualifying continues and ballots are finalized, additional developments are expected across multiple local governments impacted by the resign-to-run law.