Georgia's 9th Congressional District candidates 2026: Who’s running.
After trouncing two Republican primary opponents, U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde will face a Democratic community organizer in the November general election.
Clyde, a gun shop owner, is seeking a third term in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, which stretches from Athens into the northeast corner of the state.
He faced two well-funded GOP challengers with experience in elected office in the May 19 primary: Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon and Hall County Commissioner Gregg Poole.
They attacked Clyde for failing to deliver federal money for the district. But Clyde defended his opposition to budget earmarks chalking it up to fiscal responsibility.
He prevailed with 76% of the GOP vote.
On the Democratic side Caitlyn Gegen pulled 60% of the vote to defeat retired banking executive Nick Alex and win her party’s nomination. A self-described community organizer, Gegan said she has pushed for women’s rights and criminal justice reform.
She will face an uphill battle in heavily Republican district. Clyde won in 2024 with 69% of the vote.
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde prepares to speak during a Team Trump event ahead of the Iowa Caucus on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)