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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMeet General Shawn Harris, the Democrat who seeks to oust Marjorie Taylor Greene
Meet Shawn Harris, the Democrat who seeks to oust Marjorie Taylor GreeneHe connected with the Washington Blade last week to discuss his candidacy as a Democrat in Georgias deep-red 14th Congressional District and why his promise to deliver for constituents who have been failed by their current representative is resonating with voters across the political spectrum...
... I was military and I was high-level military, he said. So, its very easy for Republicans to Google my name and look at my history. My last assignment was in Israel. So that was a very high-level position.
The second piece, Harris said, is I raise cattle. I raise Red Angus cattle. Im actually in my office looking out the window at them right now.
He noted that agriculture dominates Georgias economy, particularly cattle and wineries, and also said he is an active member of the Georgia Cattlemens Association and U.S. Cattlemens Association.
Most cattlemen, at least here in this area, are Republicans, Harris said, so during the groups meetings, they get a chance to meet me just as Shawn, just as another cattleman. At the same time, he said, they come out here and visit me on the farm and vice-versa...
I definitely hope this guy has a serious shot. That awful woman needs to be gone. She's a traitor, a fool, and an embarrassment to our country.
Cha
(297,799 posts)jimfields33
(16,015 posts)Over 65 percent of the vote. They have to be sick of her though.
Cha
(297,799 posts)ran against her .. He had been in the Military, too. and was Super Cool.
But the voters there weren't ready to get rid of her yet.. Maybe this time!
residentcynic
(32 posts)Away from winnable races.
NNadir
(33,574 posts)It's a message that may resonate. There has to be a contingent of sane people there, and even among those who voted for her, I suspect there are some for whom she's worn thin.
Traurigkeit
(293 posts)underpants
(182,949 posts)Ive got family in that district. I cant say Ive many bad interactions there but even my in laws remark how red it is and they are Repubs. They cant stand her and arent voting for Trump in 2020.
senseandsensibility
(17,164 posts)no matter how great he is? Just my impression since her district is so red and keeps reelecting her.
underpants
(182,949 posts)I saw a lot of Warnock signs there in 2020 ?
NNadir
(33,574 posts)There is certainly a lot of antisemitism; I'm sure that racism plays a role there, but on the other hand, this man has cred.
peacebuzzard
(5,183 posts)the highway to Atlanta from this NW GA area is dangerous. The portion of this article that struck me is the why behind it. The drivers are commuters trying to get to their jobs in the city. I sure hope this impeccable Dem stands a chance. Hopefully, the demographics of this area are bending in his favor.
ToxMarz
(2,169 posts)Maybe he can be the friend.
Traurigkeit
(293 posts)Pretty Fly
(66 posts)In 2022, Marcus Flowers, another Black man with military background, lost to her 66-34. She definitely lost support since her initial win in 2020 (she won that election with 75%) but she hasn't lost anywhere near the support needed to make this a winnable race.
The Georgia's 14th Congressional is rated R +22 by Cook.
She's not in danger of losing this seat sadly.
SouthBayDem
(32,065 posts)that is a black cultural idiom. Marcus Flowers (a much much better candidate) literally got half as many votes as Traitor Queene back in 2022.
Probatim
(2,547 posts)Might get a different reaction from voters coming from a retired general.
NNadir
(33,574 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,364 posts)hlthe2b
(102,419 posts)I'd take a second look at him (assuming there was no more qualified/competitive Democrat running).
MTG is poison and needs to go--bottom line.
et tu
(920 posts)hope he wins~
JoseBalow
(2,514 posts)thesquanderer
(11,996 posts)ancianita
(36,157 posts)https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_14th_Congressional_District_election,_2024
Here's how lower ranking military vet, Marcus Flowers, fared against MTG in 2022.
Her opponents had no Democratic campaign offices, from what I've read on Ballotpedia. I could be wrong, but that could be because there's not enough national party commitment of funding?
Anyway, I wish him the best. Last time when I donated to Flowers, he crashed.
Northern GA districts look pretty uphill; not sure I can afford to donate against her again, esp. since she's got Koch "freedom" caucus money behind her.
PortTack
(32,809 posts)NanaCat
(1,301 posts)The state party is. They get the support from the DNC, and then decide what to do with that.
The 'blame everything on the DNC' canard grows tiresome.
ancianita
(36,157 posts)Wednesdays
(17,450 posts)This will be included in my daily candidates and donations list as the election season heats up.
Pretty Fly
(66 posts)...but I would pick a more winnable race if possible. This is a district that MTG won by 30 points in 2022. She is not going to lose this seat. Your money might be better going to a swing race ... like in New York or California.
BUT like I said, I don't want to tell you what to do with your money lol just a suggestion.
Wednesdays
(17,450 posts)And I'll bet DUers are mature enough to make correct decisions on whom to donate.
Just thought I'd give context to the race. MTG won reelection by 30 points two years ago.
I hope you're correct that this guy can win!
DemocratInPa
(359 posts)He has zero chance.. Sadly
Best bet to oust her is hope she runs for Senate.
NNadir
(33,574 posts)The guy's not a coward for sure. Stranger things have happened, 2016 for example.
I actually believe that this may be a great year for Democrats in even some of the strangest places. I fully concede that I may be engaging in wishful thinking, but I'd sure like to do the experiment before drawing the conclusion.
ancianita
(36,157 posts)NNadir
(33,574 posts)DemocratInPa
(359 posts)Think it's tied to all Dems..
I think overall Dems will do well, but not in that district. Flowers was as good as they come and he got beat by what 35 points?
That is a red neck, back woods area of Georgia. I doubt many women will vote for him in that area.
summer_in_TX
(2,762 posts)1) Puts the district on notice that Dems can and will run everywhere;
2) Forces her to spend money to defend the seat so she can't direct it to other MAGA Republicans in other races;
3) Money is a sign of strength and strength attracts attention and more money;
4) Fate may take a hand, to take MTG down before the election, leaving him as the only good choice on the ballot.
#4 has happened before, btw, on both sides of the aisle. Former Governor Mark Sanford, Allan West, Rep. Chris Lee. Anthony Wiener comes to mind on our side. Unfortunately.
ancianita
(36,157 posts)in the darkest red abyss.
She's also running just to qualify for a pension -- one has to serve 5 years in office to qualify.
brooklynite
(94,792 posts)oldsoftie
(12,632 posts)Then we could see what the appetite is to remove her
IcyPeas
(21,916 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(33,484 posts)COL Mustard
(5,936 posts)I wish him much luck and hope he'll be successful! As someone else said, she needs gone.
RandySF
(59,414 posts)Pototan
(1,212 posts)...it takes in parts of Moscow, Russia.
Vlad Putin should not be a MTG constituent.
NNadir
(33,574 posts)Pototan
(1,212 posts)Silent Type
(3,005 posts)Emile
(23,024 posts)brooklynite
(94,792 posts)This is the kind of race I frequently have to tell people not to get involved in (financially). People respond to "I'm running against (Republican you hate).". My response is: "I don't care who you're running against; I care that you can beat him/her". And politicalreality says he can't.
MTG is in a gerrymandered R+22 District. The voters LIKE her and her antics. Even a retired military leader who's a Democrat will lose in this situation. Meanwhile, there are 11 Republicans in winnable toss-up districts, and 11 at-risk Democrats in losable toss-up districts. Those are the races that need support.
Consider: conservative billionaires don't spend a penny trying to defeat Hakeem Jeffries or Nancy Pelosi. They work to make they powerless by picking up the vulnerable Democratic candidates.
diva77
(7,664 posts)female voters exceeds male numbers and they are motivated to restore reproductive care rights, then maybe there is a chance for General Harris to win the battle!
brooklynite
(94,792 posts)GenThePerservering
(1,848 posts)so let's all just give up, right?
How about dropping all the Eeyore business and pulling together for our brothers and sisters in Georgia? It does affect the rest of us.
Some Democratic thinking is way too defeatist and 'soft' for me, sorry.
brooklynite
(94,792 posts)If you spend a dollar on his campaign, you're not spending a dollar on a race that's winnable. Your choice.
Ontheboundry
(91 posts)He has no shot at all. Evangelical nutjobs mostly who wouldn't vote for Jesus of there was a D next to his name
Easier to primary her out
diva77
(7,664 posts)Then Dems could reverse engineer and use that knowledge (mostly exploitation of social media) to help General Harris win that election.
Takket
(21,644 posts)To defeat her, her voters have to actually not approve of her, and in the district they want someone who spews conspiracy theories and owns the libtards.
samnsara
(17,650 posts)..oh thats gotta taste good...
Ontheboundry
(91 posts)Have really git a lot of nice wineries
Georgia has an area north of Atlanta that has the absolutely the best apples I've ever tasted in my life, to include Washington.
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(8,105 posts)japple
(9,844 posts)him to be a nice guy, good communicator and very approachable. I was looking forward to campaigning for him, but the Georgia legislature re-drew the congressional districts and I am back in the 11th district. Barry Loudermilk is the MOC from the 11th. I think his policies are typical MAGA, but he is low profile and keeps his mouth shut most of the time. I really hope Shawn has many good supporters in the 14th district.
Dem_in_Nebr.
(301 posts)one Jewish Space Laser at a time.