Meet General Shawn Harris, the Democrat who seeks to oust Marjorie Taylor Greene

[NNadir]

Meet Shawn Harris, the Democrat who seeks to oust Marjorie Taylor Greene

Shawn Harris, a cattleman in Northwest Georgia who served in the military for 40 years and retired as a U.S. Army brigadier general, is running for the congressional seat now held by far-right U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

He connected with the Washington Blade last week to discuss his candidacy as a Democrat in Georgia’s 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, it’s 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. I’m actually in my office looking out the window at them right now.”

He noted that agriculture dominates Georgia’s economy, particularly “cattle and wineries,” and also said he is an active member of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.

“Most cattlemen, at least here in this area, are Republicans,” Harris said, so during the group’s 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]

1. Wow.. TY & Gen Shawn Harris!

[jimfields33]

10. I wish him the best. It's a tough district as she won

Over 65 percent of the vote. They have to be sick of her though.

[Cha]

11. Yeah, I remember last time.. Marcus Flowers

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]

61. It siphoned money

Away from winnable races.

[NNadir]

13. I'm just glad that high quality are there to take her on. What he's talking about is serving the district.

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]

28. Yes, something new. A Representative that ACTUALLY listens and hears us in the District. So Marverlous

[underpants]

2. If anyone can win as a Dem in that district, he sounds like the one

I’ve got family in that district. I can’t say I’ve many bad interactions there but even my in laws remark how red it is and they are Repubs. They can’t stand her and aren’t voting for Trump in 2020.

[senseandsensibility]

3. Aren't her constituents too racist to vote for a black guy

no matter how great he is? Just my impression since her district is so red and keeps reelecting her.

[underpants]

4. I should've clicked on the link

I saw a lot of Warnock signs there in 2020…?

[NNadir]

6. I have no idea. There does need to be a large number of crazies there to put that woman in office.

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]

54. there are lots of crazies there, especially hell bent drivers.

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]

15. But they need a black friend to prove they're not racist

Maybe he can be the friend.

[Traurigkeit]

29. Bigots need not apply

[Pretty Fly]

32. There's zero chance he wins.

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]

62. Just confirms the saying "you gotta be twice as good to get half as much"

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]

5. It would be nice for him to call out her pro-Putin/anti-American comments on a regular basis.

Might get a different reaction from voters coming from a retired general.

[NNadir]

7. I'm sure he will.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. MTG's voters should feel embarrassed. Her anger, illogic, & self-importance are off the charts

[hlthe2b]

9. I'd definitely vote for him as a Democrat... But frankly if he were an "R" I'd have to think

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]

12. she is no aoc [light years and space lasers away]

hope he wins~

[JoseBalow]

14. I dunno, I kinda like that she's the face of the idiot party

[thesquanderer]

17. Plus she's helping tear the Republican party apart. So I have mixed feelings! n/t

[ancianita]

16. He must be new, had a bit of a time finding him. I'm with you and hope he beats Greene.

Here's Harris on Ballotpedia:
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]

20. Yup..such a sad outcome! Hope it's different this time

[NanaCat]

35. National party isn't responsible for local offices.

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. What's the canard? Can you link any article on DNC spending?? Any at all??

[Wednesdays]

18. Bookmarking...

This will be included in my daily candidates and donations list as the election season heats up.

[Pretty Fly]

33. Far be it for me to tell you how to spend your money...

...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]

58. It will be one link among a multitude

And I'll bet DUers are mature enough to make correct decisions on whom to donate.

[Pretty Fly]

60. Okay.

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]

19. I wish him the best, but...

He has zero chance.. Sadly

Best bet to oust her is hope she runs for Senate.

[NNadir]

24. The best way to assure a zero chance is to not try at all.

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]

37. Are you donating to Harris? Just wondering.

[NNadir]

57. I just did.

[DemocratInPa]

39. Why is it when someone aid someone doesn't have a shot, people on here..

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]

46. Whether the general can beat her or not, there are good reasons to give to him.

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]

59. Amen. You've convinced me to donate against her again. Thank you. We need to take courage even

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]

51. The best way to not win back the House is to spend our money on feel good hopeless causes.....

[oldsoftie]

21. I wish he wouldve run as a Republican & primaried her.

Then we could see what the appetite is to remove her

[IcyPeas]

22. Here's his twitter account if you'd care to follow, or browse:

Link to tweet

[Hermit-The-Prog]

23. In addition to being a traitor, fool, and embarassment, she is making her constituents' lives worse.

[COL Mustard]

25. Here's his ARNG resume

https://www.nationalguard.mil/portals/31/Features/ngbgomo/bio/3/3351.html

I wish him much luck and hope he'll be successful! As someone else said, she needs gone.

[RandySF]

26. Isn't her district the heart of Klan country?

[Pototan]

27. Gerrymandering shouldn't be so radical that...

...it takes in parts of Moscow, Russia.

Vlad Putin should not be a MTG constituent.

[NNadir]

31. Well, she certainly represents him.

[Pototan]

44. That's my point

[Silent Type]

30. It's a rube red district, but this guy is high caliber. We can hope.

[Emile]

34. Republicans don't like veterans.

[brooklynite]

38. Great guy. Hopeless cause.

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]

45. There is value in at least trying to get info. to her district that doesn't come from wing-nut media. If the number of

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]

50. There are plenty of female Republicans who are anti-choice.

[GenThePerservering]

40. WAH WAH WAH!!! IT'S HOPELESS

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]

49. If you want to volunteer, knock yourself out.

If you spend a dollar on his campaign, you're not spending a dollar on a race that's winnable. Your choice.

[Ontheboundry]

41. I live in the next district over uers

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]

42. Would be interesting to see an indepth, play by play analysis of exactly how MTG rose to become so powerful --

Then Dems could reverse engineer and use that knowledge (mostly exploitation of social media) to help General Harris win that election.

[Takket]

43. She will Easily win again

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”.

[efhmc]

47. Sadly true.

[samnsara]

48. wineries..in Georgia?

..oh thats gotta taste good...

[Ontheboundry]

56. Tennessee and Georgia

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]

52. good luck sir

[japple]

53. Shawn Harris came to several events held by the Gordon County Democrats and I found

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.]

55. MTG: Lowering political discourse . . .

one Jewish Space Laser at a time.