Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

The race to succeed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th District is rapidly turning into a crowded free-for-all. With Greene set to resign in January 2026, the vacuum left in the deeply Republican stronghold has triggered a scramble among local officials, business owners, and party insiders looking to secure a ticket to Washington.

James Tully, the chairman of the 14th District GOP and a longtime ally of Greene, wasted no time staking his claim. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Tully positioned himself as the continuity candidate.

“I’m announcing tonight that I am absolutely running for Congress in the mighty 14th congressional district,” Tully wrote, emphasizing his desire to "serve" and maintain the district’s current direction.

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But Tully isn’t the only one eyeing the seat. The field is shaping up to be a mix of establishment figures, political newcomers, and controversial firebrands.

Perhaps the most volatile potential entrant is State Sen. Colton Moore. A Republican from Trenton, Moore has built a reputation for clashing with his own party leadership in Atlanta. His record includes a public dispute with Gov. Brian Kemp and a January arrest at the State Capitol. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Moore was charged with willful obstruction for allegedly pushing past State Troopers to disrupt official proceedings outside the House Chamber.

Moore has previously accused Georgia National Guard troops of "working for Biden" during border disputes, signaling he would likely bring a combative style similar to Greene’s if he enters the race.

The prospect of such a wide field has some Republicans worried about unintended consequences. One source familiar with the situation described a fear of a "domino effect," where state-level officials vacating their posts to run for Congress leaves the party scrambling to defend multiple open seats at once. "The risk isn’t about any one candidate," the source noted. "The risk is losing seats in the chaos."

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Several candidates had already filed with the FEC before Greene made her exit official. Star Black, a retired FEMA official and business owner from Kennesaw, jumped in back in June. She is joined by Jeff Criswell, a memorabilia store owner who unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Lucy McBath in 2024.

The list of hopefuls continues to grow. Elvis Casely, a former sales professional, is running on a consumer protection platform. Jared Craig, a Newnan attorney who launched his campaign on December 1, is also in the mix after a previous bid in the 3rd District.

Others are still weighing their options. Dalton City Councilman Nicky Lama is reportedly considering a run, as are Christian Hurd, a 28-year-old Marine Corps veteran, and middle school teacher Joseph Bergeman.

As the field swells, the 14th District is bracing for a chaotic primary season where loyalty to Greene’s legacy may clash with the ambitions of a new wave of Republican contenders.

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