DALLAS, Ga. — In the Republican-dominant area on the fringe of Atlanta’s suburbs, supporters of U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene turned up clad in “Make America Great Again” apparel for a town hall meeting. Many of them were blissfully unaware that she has a Democratic challenger in the form of Shawn Harris, a retired Army General and farmer. As early voting approaches, Harris has been vocal about his critiques of Greene, particularly targeting her extreme rhetoric and perceived neglect of the diverse needs of Georgia’s 14th District, which reaches to the northwestern part of the state.
Greene enjoys a significant following due to her robust national political persona. During the town hall on October 2, supporters rallied around video clips showcasing her confrontations with political figures and contentious statements. Greene, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, recently made headlines by claiming that Democrats were responsible for Hurricane Helene, which severely impacted the Southeast the previous month. In another instance earlier this year, she faced backlash for her derogatory comments aimed at Democratic U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, who later responded indirectly to Greene’s remarks.
The controversial congresswoman also attempted to lead an unsuccessful push to remove Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who does not fully align with the more extremist elements of the party. When Greene told the crowd in Dallas that she would again seek to change leadership in the House, a member of the audience cheekily suggested she should run for the position herself. Greene replied, “Oh, honey, they wouldn’t have liked me… That’s a swamp we’re talking about.”
Greene voiced strong opinions about what she perceives as government “tyranny” related to pandemic-related lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine rollouts. Moreover, she reiterated false claims regarding immigration and the 2020 presidential election results, emphasizing her pride in voting against the certification of the election. Although some attendees expressed a desire for her to address her specific accomplishments and future goals for the district, her emphasis on national issues still energizes her supporters, as noted by attendee Alan Rusch, who remarked, “I left with a better understanding and attitude of the future we might have. I like the way she fights for things.”
On the other hand, Harris is advocating for what he believes are the needs and aspirations of the constituents in his district. “I have concrete things that I plan to do and bring back to the district,” he stated, criticizing Greene’s tenure for lacking tangible achievements since her election three and a half years ago. Many of Harris’s financial backers come from outside Georgia, eager to support efforts to challenge Greene’s well-established presence as a far-right Republican. The state’s Democratic party is also soliciting contributions to unseat Greene without explicitly naming Harris, complicating his fundraising efforts.
Harris regards Greene as his “greatest asset” in gathering support for his campaign, indicating that he has raised around $522,000—a strong figure for someone attempting to unseat an incumbent, though still significantly less than the more than $15 million raised by Democrat Marcus Flowers against Greene in 2022, who ultimately secured just 34.1% of the district’s votes. One donor, Marjorie Glazer from Boston, expressed her distaste for Greene, saying, “I don’t think he has a chance in hell, but it made me feel better giving money against her.”
Originally from a modest background, Harris aims to enhance services for veterans and seniors, expand health care options, establish mental health facilities, and create jobs via a freight hub in the area. He emphasizes that even if he falls short in this election, the campaign would still hold value. “Many of us in northwest Georgia are coming from less fortunate means, but your zip code does not define who you want to be,” he remarked, expressing a wish to inspire younger generations.
Harris is also focused on the national farm bill, which Congress must renew every five years, known for addressing various crucial topics like crop insurance and access to food. His campaign attracted support from Don Westlake, a Republican cattle farmer who voted for Trump and Greene in the past. Westlake featured in a promotional video for Harris, calling him a “good person” and “proven leader,” and expressed his concerns over Greene’s actions, stating, “All I can remember that she has done since she’s been elected is try to impeach President Biden and also try to impeach her fellow Republican.”
Despite the challenges Harris faces, Republican strategist Brian Robinson believes most voters in that district remain loyal to Greene. He noted that national political issues tend to take precedence over local matters for many voters. “By speaking to national issues, she is speaking to what people expect her to talk about — what they’re showing up for,” Robinson stated. “That’s what they want. They want that red meat. She is amplifying what they already believe.”