Northwest Georgia’s political landscape is shifting as Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene prepares to step down from her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Greene announced she will resign effective January 5, 2026, a move that will trigger a special election to fill the remainder of her term.

With Greene’s departure, Georgia State Senator Colton Moore has announced his intention to run for Congress. Moore, who represents portions of Northwest Georgia in the State Senate, is positioning himself for what is expected to be a highly competitive race for the open 14th Congressional District seat.

At the same time, Greene’s exit is prompting movement at the state level. Two local figures have already announced plans to run for State Senate District 53, which includes Chattooga, Walker, Catoosa, and part of Floyd County.

Former Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry, whose term ended in 2024, has declared his candidacy for the seat. Elsberry has been the subject of an ongoing state investigation involving his former administration, but continues to signal his intent to return to public office.

Also entering the race is Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas, who recently announced he will run for the 53rd District following eight years of service as mayor. Thomas shared his decision during a holiday message to residents, saying he looks forward to campaigning across Northwest Georgia.

With three major announcements in just days, the region is preparing for one of its most active and closely watched election cycles in recent years. The special election for Greene’s seat and the 2026 state primaries are expected to draw significant attention from voters across the area.