Milton Kirby | Hiram, GA | April 3, 2026
With Election Day approaching, Shawn Harris is making his final case directly to voters, meeting them where it matters most: in small businesses, over conversations about cost, stability, and leadership.
A brief “mini-tour” through Paulding County offered a clear window into a high-stakes special election that could reshape Georgia’s 14th Congressional District – an area once considered politically predictable, now firmly in the national spotlight.
Joined by Raphael Warnock, Harris stopped at two Hiram businesses, using the visits to listen, connect, and reinforce a campaign built around a simple message: Leadership Matters.
“Kitchen Table” Concerns at Tips & Clippers
The day began at Tips & Clippers Nails and Barber Shop, where owners Deon and LaToya Edwards shared the realities of running a small business in today’s economy.
Their shop, now two years old, has grown steadily, but not without strain. Supply costs, they said, have nearly doubled in some cases. Rather than pass those increases along, they’ve absorbed much of the impact themselves.
“I think it’s time for a change, and I believe Shawn Harris will be the change that we need,” said LaToya Edwards, who also serves with the Hiram Police Department.
Her husband, Deon, an Air Force veteran said “Harris’s military background stood out, but it was his independence that resonated most.”
“I like independent thought,” he said.
Moments like these grounded in everyday concerns, continue to shape the tone of the race more than national talking points.
A Packed House at The Philly Spot
Later, at The Philly Steak Spot, the energy shifted. A capacity crowd filled the small restaurant, eager to see Harris and hear from Warnock.
Warnock brought visibility and momentum, mixing humor with urgency as he encouraged turnout and highlighted concerns about voting access.
“Let’s send a great man, a veteran, and a farmer to Congress,” he told the crowd.
Still, the focus remained on Harris, his message, his background, and what he represents in this moment.
A District in Transition
The stakes in this race are shaped by the departure of Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represented the district since 2020 and brought national attention to northwest Georgia.
Greene announced in November 2025 that she would resign, setting her final day in office as January 5, 2026. Her decision followed a highly publicized political rift within Republican circles, along with mounting pressure inside her party and concerns about a potentially difficult primary, according to national reports.
The open seat quickly drew national interest. In February, Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Clay Fuller, a district attorney whose campaign emphasizes law enforcement experience and party unity.
That endorsement, however, did not produce a majority winner in the initial election. Fuller advanced from a crowded 14-candidate field but fell short of the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a runoff.
He has since expressed confidence that Republican voters will consolidate behind him in the final vote.
Harris on Leadership: Local and Global
For Harris, the campaign is both forward-looking and personal. Having previously faced Greene, this race represents a new opportunity to redefine leadership in the district.
Between handshakes and conversations, he addressed not only local concerns but global ones, including U.S. involvement in Iran.
“We can win this war militarily,” Harris said. “However, we can lose this war politically.”
Drawing on his experience with Central Command, he argued that Americans deserve clearer communication especially as global decisions impact everyday costs like fuel and agriculture.
But again and again, his message returned to the same place: leadership, accountability, and trust.
The Choice Before Voters
The race now comes down to a clear contrast.
Harris presents himself as a steady, service-driven leader shaped by decades in uniform focused on discipline, transparency, and what supporters describe as independent judgment.
Fuller, backed by Trump, represents a continuation of conservative leadership in the district, with an emphasis on law enforcement, prosecution, and party alignment.
For voters like Katrina Rebels of Powder Springs, the stakes are immediate.
“This election is so very important,” she said. “I will be out there voting – first one in line as usual.”
Where This Race Will Be Decided
As early voting concludes and Election Day approaches, Georgia’s 14th District stands at a crossroads.
Once considered a quiet stronghold, it is now a proving ground where national attention meets local reality.
And while endorsements and headlines may shape perception, the outcome will likely be decided in places like Hiram – inside barbershops, restaurants, and small businesses, where voters are weighing not just politics, but the kind of leadership they want next.
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