Kemp sets special election for Greene’s seat, launching likely 5-vote marathon

Among the most prominent Republicans are state Sen. Colton Moore, who was ousted from the conservative Senate GOP caucus after clashes with Republican colleagues, and local prosecutor Clay Fuller, who ran for the seat in 2020.

Others include pastor Tom Gray, Dalton City Councilman Nicky Lama, former Paulding County Commissioner Brian Stover and former Greene staffer Jim Tully.

Georgia Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte still hasn’t ruled out a run.

Republicans are heavily favored to win the district, which was drawn by lawmakers for a GOP candidate to win. But Democrats hope to exploit the fractured GOP field to make the race competitive.

The party’s top contender is Shawn Harris, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general who won roughly one-third of the vote in 2024 against Greene.

The special election format makes it hard to predict.

With no party primary to select nominees, all of the contenders will appear on the same ballot. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers advance to an April 7 runoff, which is widely expected.

Many of the same contenders will also compete in a May primary, a likely primary runoff and the November general election for a full two-year term.

That creates a grueling monthslong political marathon for anyone seeking to win and keep the seat.

Kemp was under pressure to quickly set a date for the election. The sudden death this week of Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California trimmed the GOP’s slim control of the House to the bare minimum of 218 seats. Democrats control 213.