A Democratic candidate running to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene says voters in Georgia’s 14th District are fed up with what he calls the “circus” of Republican politics—and want leaders focused on everyday concerns.
Cattle farmer Shawn Harris told Newsweek he’s hearing the same message across the district: people want elected officials who will tackle “kitchen table issues impacting their daily lives.”
Newsweek contacted the Georgia Republican Party by email for comment outside normal business hours.
Greene left Congress earlier in January, announcing her resignation after a public split with the president. At least 22 candidates are now competing for the open seat. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has scheduled the replacement election for March 10, as Republicans work to defend a narrow five-seat House majority heading into the November midterms.
The race is expected to favor the GOP. Most of the candidates who have entered are Republicans, and the district is widely viewed as deeply conservative.
Harris’ platform: jobs, health care, and rural support
Harris is one of two Democrats running and says his agenda centers on job creation, expanded health care access, and stronger support for farmers and veterans.
He said he wants to “bring high paying generational jobs back to” the district “through the defense and aerospace industries.”
On health care and benefits, Harris said he would push to expand telehealth, encourage doctors and nurses to practice in rural communities, and protect funding for key programs serving veterans, seniors, and families.
“I’m going to increase access to health care by expanding telehealth services, incentives for doctors and nurses to practice in rural areas, ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare and Medicaid are sufficiently funded to ensure affordability and to protect our veterans, seniors and children,” he said.
He also said he would fight for a Farm Bill that prioritizes smaller operations over large corporate farms and creates room for organic and alternative farming, farmers markets, and other niche agriculture.
Military background and a second run
According to his campaign biography, Harris served 40 years in the military, including as a combat infantry commander in Afghanistan, and retired as a brigadier general. He and his wife of 35 years, Karla, returned to Georgia to live on their farm, where they raised five children.
This isn’t Harris’ first campaign against Greene. He ran in November 2024 and lost, earning 36 percent to Greene’s 64 percent. Still, he says the district is more open than outsiders assume.
“I received more votes in 2024 than any Democrat in 30 years because Republicans around here are tired of their party’s antics, tired of Washington ignoring what’s happening here,” he said. “Marjorie at least had her fans, but this new crop doesn’t have much to offer. People know I’m running as a Democrat, but they know me as a Georgian and retired general raising cattle down the road.”
To improve on his 2024 performance, Harris said the core challenge is reach and resources.
“Marjorie had a lot more money than we did, and I couldn’t reach everybody,” he said. “We’re in a lot better shape this time, and our competition is starting way behind us instead of way in front.”
He added that when he’s not working on the farm or spending time with his wife, he’s campaigning nonstop.
“Every waking minute I’m not with my wife or the cows, I’m out talking to hard-working people around here about the difference it could make to have somebody who understands what Georgians are going through up in Washington.”
Fundraising edge and the path to victory
Harris currently leads the field in fundraising, with $1,292,000 reported in his campaign coffers. He said the typical donation comes from everyday supporters, not big-money backers.
“People are tired of the circus,” he said. “They want people who will work to get to yes on the kitchen table issues impacting their daily lives. Our average contribution is just $21. We are supported by real people who are looking for real leadership.”
Candidates from both parties will appear on the same ballot. If no one wins a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff on April 7.
Harris said he isn’t approaching the campaign as a race to simply make the runoff.
“The results of the 2024 elections have made things worse for Northwest Georgia, not better. As a veteran, I don’t leave a mission unfinished,” he said.
“We are running to win this race, period.”
