The departure of U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk from the House leaves open an important vacancy that Republicans, Democrats, and an Independent are trying to fill in November. It will be one of the most strategic races watched across the nation as it is one of three House vacancies cast in a narrow Republican margin.
The other open seat – that of the 14th District vacated by Majorie Taylor Greene – is another House vacancy and that puts Georgia in the crosshairs of both parties to keep it red or turn it blue.
The campaign for the 11th District has two running as Republicans, five Democrats qualifying, and one independent qualifying. There could be more before the March 6 qualifying deadline passes.
Chris Mora and John Cowen qualified to run as Republican candidates. Local politico Chuck Shiflett pointed in a Facebook post out that Cowen lives in Rome, the 14th District, which was left vacant when Greene resigned. Rather than join a crowded filled of 22 candidates for a special election to fill Greene’s seat, Cowan opted to run in the primary to fill Loudermilk’s 11th District chair.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t mandate you live in the district you represent. The requirements for House candidates are that you are at least 25 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state you represent.
The Democrats running include Chris Harden, Chase Laminack, Iris Medina-Elston, Christopher Dale Vines, and Barry Wolfert.
Natalie Richoz is running as an independent.
Mid-term elections tend to have lower voter turnout than presidential elections. However, mid-terms are important because all 435 districts in the House and 33 U.S. Senate are up for election. The House also has six non-voting members seeking election.
The stakes are high in this mid-term election because of the narrow margin between parties. Republicans have a 218-214 majority in the House.
The margins in the U.S. Senate are even slimmer with Republicans have a 53-45 majority. Two independents side with Democrats in caucus, giving the Democrats 47 votes total.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.