President Donald Trump carried former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s northwestern Georgia district by nearly 40 points in 2024. But that hasn’t stopped Republican super PACs from pouring money in ahead of a special election there on Tuesday.
Republican Clayton Fuller — endorsed by Trump — and Democrat Shawn Harris will face off Tuesday in a runoff to replace Greene, who resigned in January. In such a deep red seat, Fuller, a prosecutor and veteran, is the favorite.
That’s why it’s puzzling that Republican outside groups have dropped more than $1.5 million on TV ads, digital ads and mailers in the runoff. Conservatives for American Excellence, a group funded by GOP megadonors, spent roughly $900,000 in the runoff, per FEC records.
American Mission, a pro-AI group that supports GOP candidates, spent nearly $700,000 on runoff ads. American Mission is part of the Leading the Future super PAC network.
Most of the ads appear aimed at boosting Republican turnout, touting the special election date and noting that Fuller has Trump’s blessing.
But at least one spot attacks Harris as a “radical liberal,” suggesting there is at least some concern among Republicans that Harris could be a threat.
This race has flown fairly under the radar. Republicans do expect to win on Tuesday. But there’s clearly enough unease about the margin and the political environment to warrant such sizable spending.
Harris has spent just $277,000 on ads since the first round of the special primary on March 10 when he and Fuller advanced to the runoff.
