Harris, Fuller Advance to Runoff Election to Replace Marjorie Taylor...

Shawn Harris and Clayton Fuller will head to a runoff in the Georgia special election to replace former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned in January after a falling out with President Donald Trump. Greene, once one of the president's most loyal supporters, broke with him over several issues, including the release of the Epstein files. Greene also criticized Trump's focus on foreign policy and pressured Republicans to join Democrats to take action on the expiring Obamacare subsidies. Greene's seat was believed to be in a reliably Republican district. Democrat Harris is now headed to a runoff election, which potentially threatens the Republicans' four-seat margin in the House. The race to represent Georgia’s 14th Congressional District—one of the most Republican‑leaning districts in the state—drew a crowded, all‑party field and was widely expected to go to a runoff in April, triggered by no candidate clearing 50 percent on Election Day. While the district has reliably backed Trump and hard‑right candidates in recent cycles, the vacancy has turned into a test of Trump’s influence in a post‑Greene political landscape. Who Did Trump Endorse in Georgia's Special Election? Trump endorsed Clay Fuller, a former district attorney in northwest Georgia, backing him as the Republican he believes can hold the seat and help advance the president's agenda. The endorsement came after Trump publicly severed ties with Greene and signaled he wanted to move on from the congresswoman who had once been one of his most vocal allies in Washington. Fuller was running in a packed field that included more than a dozen Republicans, several Democrats and independent and third‑party candidates, all appearing on the same ballot under Georgia’s special‑election rules. That dynamic raised questions about whether Trump’s endorsement would be decisive, or whether the MAGA vote would splinter, opening the door to a runoff or even a surprise outcome. Republican candidates have largely embraced Trump while avoiding overt alignment with Greene, reflecting the uneasy balance many in the district are trying to strike. Roll Call reported that several GOP contenders have deliberately minimized Greene’s role in the race, wary of being dragged into a public feud that divides the Republican base. Why Did Greene Resign? Greene resigned from Congress effective January 5 after a dramatic and highly public falling‑out with Trump that played out over several months. Once a loyal MAGA standard‑bearer, Greene broke with Trump on multiple issues, most notably her push to force the release of government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump responded by withdrawing his endorsement, publicly attacking Greene on social media and calling her a “traitor,” a rupture that effectively ended one of the most visible alliances of his political movement. In announcing her resignation, Greene said she did not want her district subjected to what she described as a “hurtful and hateful” primary battle driven by Trump’s opposition to her candidacy. “Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for," Greene posted on X. Her resignation left Georgia’s 14th District without representation and narrowed Republicans’ already slim House majority, adding national stakes to what would otherwise be a safely red seat. While Greene has not announced another run for office, she left the door open for a future political career. “When the common American people finally realize and understand that the political industrial complex of both parties is ripping this country apart, that not one elected leader like me is able to stop Washington’s machine from gradually destroying our country, and instead the reality is that they, common Americans, the people, possess the real power over Washington,” she said, “then I’ll be here by their side to rebuild it.” What Has Trump Said About Greene? Trump has been unsparing in his criticism of Greene since their split, repeatedly accusing her of abandoning the MAGA agenda and portraying her departure from Congress as politically motivated. In posts and interviews following her resignation announcement, Trump suggested Greene stepped aside because she could no longer count on his support and would face a tough primary challenge. Trump accused Greene of going “far left” and said he would back an opponent against her, comments that marked a sharp reversal from years of public praise and mutual loyalty. He also branded her a "traitor." Greene, for her part, has rejected Trump’s characterization, saying she remains “America First” and accusing the president of abandoning core MAGA principles. In post‑resignation interviews with ABC News and PBS, she argued that her stance on releasing the Epstein files and opposing certain foreign interventions reflected consistency, not betrayal. Greene also said that the president's comments about her have put her safety at risk. She told podcaster Jillian Michaels that she received more than 770 official death threats, including threats to her child. She said she sent the threats to top officials in the Trump administration so they were aware of what vitriol was being directed toward her son. “The president himself texts me back and is very nasty and tells me that it’s my fault,” Greene said on the podcast. “He blames me for the death threats coming in on my own son, has no compassion.” With no one winning the election, Harris and Fuller will head to a runoff and join Congress after the outcome of that election in April at a critical time for Trump. As the president gears up to rally Republicans to vote in the midterm elections to try to maintain control of the House, improve the economy and manage the Iran War, Trump will need Republicans loyal to advancing his agenda to help move his policies forward. In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. 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