One of the candidates in Northwest Georgia’s crowded U.S. House special election field has withdrawn from the race and is now turning attention to a run for the Georgia General Assembly. Republican Christian Hurd announced Sunday he is stepping away from the March 10 special election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, saying he believes his “path is closed” in the congressional contest.

In his statement, Hurd urged fellow Republicans to rally behind former Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit district attorney Clay Fuller. Hurd said that after reflecting on the large field of candidates, he felt the best way to support conservative priorities was to step aside and back a candidate he described as guided by faith and committed to an America First agenda.

With Hurd out, voters will still face a large field on the March 10 ballot. Under Georgia law, a candidate must win more than 50% to avoid a runoff. If no one reaches that threshold, a runoff election is scheduled for April 7.

The winner of the special election will serve for the remainder of the current term following the resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene, with the seat also set to be on the ballot again later this year for a full two-year term. Qualifying for the May primaries runs March 2–6, meaning candidates may be navigating multiple election dates in the months ahead.

Hurd also announced he plans to seek the Republican nomination for Georgia House District 2, which includes parts of Walker, Catoosa, and Whitfield counties.