The race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District intensified Sunday in Atlanta as Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris squared off in a debate ahead of the April 7 runoff to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress.
With early voting approaching, both candidates used the debate stage to highlight sharp differences on the economy, foreign policy and leadership, while also making direct appeals to northwest Georgia voters.
Economy and cost of living take center stage
Both candidates offered contrasting views on the economy and the rising cost of living.
Fuller credited President Donald Trump for economic improvements, arguing that his policies are helping stabilize inflation and strengthen the country’s financial outlook.
“President Trump’s policies are working,” Fuller said. “He inherited the worst inflationary crisis that a president has seen in the last 50 to 60 years, and he has fixed that in almost a year, and core inflation rate is at its lowest.”
Harris, a retired Army brigadier general and farmer, focused his message on economic challenges facing working families, saying voters are looking for leadership that puts their needs first and addresses the cost of living through practical solutions.
Foreign policy debate heats up
Foreign policy was also a major topic, including U.S. involvement with Iran and the possibility of future military conflict.
WTVC-TV’s Josh Roe, who served as a panelist in the debate, pressed Fuller about comments made in a January podcast in which Fuller discussed avoiding future conflicts while also supporting action against Iran.
Roe asked how those positions aligned, noting the apparent contradiction between avoiding new wars and supporting military action.
Fuller defended his stance, saying strong action against Iran ultimately protects Americans and reduces long-term conflict.
“Our country is safer because of what President Trump has done regarding Iran,” Fuller said, citing recent tensions and missile activity. “From a strategic standpoint, we can offload the counterterrorism problems that we’ve been dealing with in the Middle East since 2001.”
Harris disagreed, saying the United States should avoid further military involvement overseas.
“We should not put troops on the ground, because this is not a war we should be in,” Harris said. “We should be trying to pull back out of it and make sure that we can take care of all of our soldiers around the world and all our veterans here back at home.”
Debate turns personal at times
At several points, the debate became personal as both candidates criticized each other’s leadership and political influence in Washington.
“I did not sell my soul,” Harris said. “Clay is Mr. Irrelevant when he gets to D.C. because he’s already sold his soul to Trump. He’s not going to get a meeting. The speaker of the House is not going to talk to him. Shawn Harris goes to D.C., they’re going to say we need to talk to this Democrat because he could be a difference maker.”
Fuller responded by drawing a contrast between their political philosophies.
“Shawn Harris, just like 2024, is for they/them. I am for you,” Fuller said.
Both campaigns target northwest Georgia voters
Georgia’s 14th Congressional District leans heavily Republican, but both candidates said they are working to win over voters across northwest Georgia ahead of the runoff.
“I am your candidate that’s going to fight directly for you, period,” Harris said.
“We need an America First fighter to stand strong for northwest Georgia,” Fuller added.
The April 7 runoff will determine who represents Georgia’s 14th Congressional District in Washington, with both campaigns intensifying outreach efforts in the final weeks before voters head to the polls.