Who are the declared Republican candidates running in the March 10, 2026 special election for Georgia's 14th district?
Executive summary
A crowded Republican field has already formed to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th District, with at least a dozen named contenders reported across local and national outlets and municipal notices; state reporting and local sites identify Colton Moore, Clayton (Clay) Fuller, Jim Tully, Star Black, Brian Stover, Jared Craig, Jeff Criswell, Reagan Box and several others as declared or publicly campaigning [1] [2] [3]. Official filings remain fluid — the secretary of state has set March 10, 2026 as the special election date and qualifying deadlines, and news outlets note roughly 19–20 Republicans have said they will run or are registered with the Federal Election Commission [4] [1] [3].
1. The field in plain sight: who reporting names as declared
Local and regional reporting lists a core group of Republicans who have publicly declared or been identified as prominent entrants: state Sen. Colton Moore of Trenton; Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney (also reported as Clayton or Clay Fuller); Jim Tully, former chair of the District 14 GOP; Star Black, a former FEMA official who has raised notable funds; Paulding County businessman Brian (sometimes reported as Brian Stover/ Brian Stover) and Newnan attorney Jared Craig among others [1] [2] [3] [5]. Multiple outlets repeat that these names are part of a swelling GOP roster that could reach 19 or more potential candidates [3] [1].
2. Variations in how candidates are listed and why that matters
Different outlets emphasize different names: the Chattanooga Times Free Press highlights Colton Moore, Clay Fuller, Jim Tully and Star Black as “prominent” Republicans [1], Discover Dade publishes a longer list that includes Reagan Box, Elvis Casely, Jared Craig, Jeff Criswell and others as “declared” [2], and Mainline Media News cites “as many as 19” Republicans considering or having announced runs, naming Moore, Fuller and Brian Stover [3]. These discrepancies reflect practical reporting divergences — some outlets rely on campaign announcements, others on FEC filings or local party statements — and underscore that the roster is both large and still settling [1] [2] [6].
3. Official process and scope: deadlines, ballots and the registry caveat
Georgia’s secretary of state has issued the special-election notice and qualifying will occur at the elections division; the special election is March 10 with a potential runoff April 7, and the last day to register to vote for the special election is cited as February 9, 2026 [4]. Ballotpedia and other election trackers warn the list of “official candidates” can change up to the filing deadline and that federal candidates only must register with the FEC after raising or spending $5,000, which adds another reason public lists differ [6] [5].
4. The political context shaping entry decisions
Reporting situates this crowded Republican field in the context of Greene’s high-profile resignation and her public split with former President Trump, a dynamic that has both encouraged challengers and created incentives for high-profile conservative figures to test the district’s loyalty or stake a claim to the seat [7] [1]. Outlets note the district’s heavy Republican lean (Cook R+19) and that a winner of the March special could immediately gain incumbency advantage ahead of the May/November 2026 cycle, which explains why so many Republicans are said to be considering or entering the race [6] [3].
5. What reporting cannot yet confirm and how to follow up
Available sources list numerous declared or possible Republican candidates but do not provide a single authoritative, final roster in one place; official qualifying and FEC records at the filing deadline will be the definitive list [4] [6]. This reporting snapshot shows at least the principal names above have been publicly identified as candidates by multiple local and national outlets, but any absolute claim about the full, final slate would require checking the Secretary of State’s qualifying list or FEC filings as of the qualifying deadline [4] [6].