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Who will win GA's District 14?

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Who will win GA's District 14?

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Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican representative of Georgia's 14th Congressional District, has gained both favor and notoriety for her inflammatory views. But there doesn't seem to be any controversy with Greene, who is the clear favorite to win her third term in Congress on Tuesday.

Polling website FiveThirtyEight gives Greene a 99 percent chance of winning against Shawn Harris, her Democratic challenger.

Who is Marjorie Taylor Greene?

The polarizing Greene, also known by the initials MTG, has been an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump since taking office in 2021. Her unwavering loyalty quickly propelled her to MAGA stardom.

She often clashed with her Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives. Earlier this year, in an unpopular move that ultimately failed, she tried to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson after he helped pass a foreign aid package that included money for Ukraine.

The right-wing extremist conservative is known for her commitment to conspiracy theories. She has long been a supporter of Q-Anon and supports other extreme views.

Who is Shawn Harris?

Harris, Greene's Democratic opponent, is a retired U.S. Army general and farmer who advocates for access to health care, veterans' services, reducing household costs and expanding broadband access for rural communities.

According to his campaign page, Harris served in the military for 40 years and retired as an Army brigadier general. He currently lives in Rockmart, Georgia, where he operates a first-generation grass-fed cattle ranch with his family.

At a campaign rally in Chattooga County, Harris stressed that he would make access to quality medical care a top priority because many areas in the 14th District are considered health deserts.

When asked about Greene, he told the Chattanooga Times Free Press, “I would never say anything negative about her, but I will say: What has Marjorie Taylor Greene done for you?” If the answer to that is nothing, then I would.” Say, look at Shawn Harris, look at my record. And when I say my balance sheet, my life balance sheet.

Georgia District 14 Demographics

Georgia's 14th — a relatively new district created after the 2010 census — lies along the Appalachian Trail in the northwest corner of the Peach State.

The district is reliably red. In 2020, former President Donald Trump won 73.4% of the vote, while Greene did even better with 74.7%. No Democratic congressional candidate has ever received more than 30% of the vote in district elections.

When Greene was first elected to office in 2020, Georgia's 14th caucus was overwhelmingly rural and white. This remains true today, as over 84% of their voters are white. But the controversial addition of western Cobb County — a majority-Democratic and black area just outside Atlanta city limits — has since diversified her constituency.

The late 2021 redistricting took Democrats and Republicans by surprise, and Greene criticized the move as “a fool’s errand.” But that barely dented her support in 2022, when she won nearly 66% of the vote, earning her a second term.

Melissa Cruz is an elections consultant who focuses on voter access issues for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected] or on X, formerly Twitter, @MelissaWrites22.

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