Barry Loudermilk

John Cowan easily won the Republican runoff in Georgia's 11th Congressional District on Tuesday, prevailing in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Barry Loudermilk in one of the state's most reliably Republican seats.

Newsmax and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Cowan about an hour after polls closed. With about 58% of the vote counted, Cowan had 65.5% and challenger Robert Adkerson had 34.5%.

The open-seat contest drew intense interest after Loudermilk announced earlier this year that he would not seek another term, creating the first truly competitive Republican nomination fight in the northwest Georgia district in more than a decade.

Cowan advanced to the runoff after emerging from a crowded Republican primary field. He faced Adkerson, Loudermilk's longtime chief of staff and former campaign manager, in a contest that featured competing arguments over experience, conservative credentials and readiness to serve in Congress.

Unlike several other major Georgia Republican contests this year, the race unfolded without an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Candidates instead sought to persuade voters that they would be the strongest advocate for conservative priorities and the America First agenda in Washington.

The 11th District includes portions of the fast-growing northwestern Atlanta suburbs and has long been considered favorable territory for Republicans. Because of the district's political makeup, the GOP nominee will enter the general election as a strong contender to keep the seat in Republican hands.

Cowan campaigned on conservative positions including border security, fiscal restraint and support for Trump's policies. He argued that his background and campaign message made him the best choice to represent the district at a time when Republicans are seeking to expand their influence in Congress.

Attention now shifts to the November election, where Cowan will face Chris Harden, a lawyer from Cherokee County who won the Democrat primary with 74% of the vote.