Georgia’s political calendar just got crowded. A special election is now locked in to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, opening the door to a chaotic, crowded contest in one of the state’s most reliably conservative districts.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is officially out of Congress, and Georgia is wasting no time moving forward. Governor Brian Kemp has scheduled a March 10 special election to fill the remainder of Greene’s term, setting up a fast, unpredictable race with more than 20 candidates already lining up.
A sudden exit that reshaped the race
Greene’s departure was abrupt, and honestly, a little messy.
After four years representing Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, Greene stepped down following a public and private fallout with President Donald Trump. Once among Trump’s loudest defenders, Greene broke ranks over several flashpoint issues, including rising health care costs, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and lingering questions around the Epstein files.
That rift reportedly widened behind closed doors. Trump, according to people familiar with the discussions, opposed Greene’s interest in running either for the U.S. Senate or the governor’s mansion in Georgia. The tension spilled into public view, and by November, Greene announced she would resign.
Monday marked her final day in office.
For a district long shaped by strong conservative politics, the sudden vacancy created a rare opening. And it did not take long for hopefuls to swarm.
A crowded field with familiar dynamics
The Federal Election Commission filings already read like a roll call.
More than 20 candidates have registered to compete for the seat, with Republicans dominating the field. Only one Democrat and one independent have entered so far, reflecting the district’s deep-red leanings but also hinting at how fragmented the GOP vote could become.
Here are the candidates currently listed with the FEC:
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Star Black, Republican
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Reagan Box, Republican
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James Marty Brown, Republican
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Beau Brown, Republican
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Elvis Casely, Republican
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Ben Cope, Republican
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Michael Corbin, Republican
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Jeff Criswell, Republican
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Uloma Ekpete, Republican
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Tom Gray, Republican
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Shawn Harris, Democrat
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Christian Hurd, Republican
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Nicky Lama, Republican
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Colton Moore, Republican
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Linvel Risner, Republican
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Rob “Rush” Ruszkowski, Independent
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Brian Stover, Republican
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Meg Strickland, Republican
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Jim Tully, Republican
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Jenna Turnipseed, Republican
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Jacqueline Wilmer, Republican
That’s a lot of names. And that matters.
With so many candidates splitting the vote, name recognition, grassroots networks, and early momentum could play an outsized role. Even small shifts could carry weight, especially if no one reaches a clear majority.
How the special election will work
Georgia’s special elections run under a familiar but unforgiving format.
All candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote on March 10, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election. That runoff would likely stretch the contest deeper into the spring.
Early voting begins February 16, giving campaigns just weeks to introduce themselves, raise funds, and mobilize voters across a sprawling district.
It’s a sprint, not a marathon.
And it favors candidates who already have local roots or access to established conservative networks.
The shape of Georgia’s 14th District
Georgia’s 14th Congressional District sprawls across the northwest corner of the state, covering Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties, plus a portion of another county.
It’s rural in places. Suburban in others. Culturally conservative, with strong evangelical influence and deep skepticism of Washington institutions.
Greene built her political brand here by leaning hard into confrontation and national media attention. Whether voters want a repeat of that style or something quieter is now the open question.
Some local Republicans have hinted, quietly, that the district may be ready for a less polarizing figure. Others argue that Greene’s confrontational approach was exactly why she kept winning.
Basically, the district is at a crossroads.
Party leaders watch closely from Atlanta and beyond
Governor Brian Kemp’s role here is procedural, but the political implications ripple far beyond Georgia.
National Republicans are watching closely to see who emerges. A fractured GOP field raises the risk of internal conflict, even in a safe district. Democrats, meanwhile, see the race as a long shot but not a lost cause, especially if turnout dips or the runoff dynamics surprise people.
President Donald Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate.
That silence is loud.
Trump’s blessing could instantly reorder the field. Without it, candidates are left to compete on local ties, ideology, and personal branding, often echoing parts of Greene’s message while trying not to inherit her baggage.
Fundraising, messaging, and the short clock
Money will matter. So will timing.
With early voting less than six weeks away, campaigns are scrambling to raise cash, lock down volunteers, and define themselves before voters tune out. There’s little room for error. Ads, mailers, and social media pushes are already being sketched out.
Here’s what candidates are quietly prioritizing right now:
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Rapid fundraising to cover early advertising costs
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Local endorsements from pastors, sheriffs, and county officials
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Clear messaging that stands out in a crowded field
There’s also the risk of voter fatigue. Twenty-plus names on a ballot can overwhelm people, leading to low turnout or random selection. That unpredictability adds another layer of tension.
One sentence sums it up: chaos favors the prepared.
What Greene leaves behind
Greene’s four-year tenure was anything but quiet.
She became one of the most recognizable figures in Congress, drawing national attention through sharp rhetoric, social media fights, and repeated clashes with Democratic leaders and members of her own party. For supporters, she was fearless. For critics, she was exhausting.
Her resignation closes one chapter, but it doesn’t end the style of politics she championed.
Several candidates are already signaling alignment with her positions, if not her personality. Others are framing themselves as a reset, talking about infrastructure, local jobs, and constituent services.
The district will decide which path it wants.
A race that will move fast and surprise people
Special elections tend to do that.
Low turnout, crowded fields, and compressed timelines often produce unexpected results. A candidate polling in single digits today could surge by March. Another with early buzz could flame out just as quickly.
