Who's running in Georgia's 11th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Conservative fiscal policy; he is backed by the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus.
Health policy from a surgeon's perspective.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
Economic growth in the northern Atlanta exurbs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Neurosurgeon practising in Rome, Georgia.
Lost the 2020 Republican primary in the neighbouring 14th District to Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Launched this campaign with about $1.5 million in his campaign account.
Won the June 16, 2026 Republican runoff against Rob Adkerson by about 30 points.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The chairman of the House Freedom Caucus backed him, and he won the Republican runoff by about thirty points after entering the race with $1.5 million already raised.
— House Freedom Caucus chairman Andy Harris; runoff results reported by WABE
Arguments against
His Republican primary opponents attacked him for moving districts to run here after losing in the 14th, and for what they cast as a never-Trump record, pointing to his past criticism of the president.
— Cowan's Republican primary opponents, reported by the Almanac of American Politics
What we couldn’t verify
Cowan campaigned in 2026 as a staunch conservative; how his earlier criticism of President Trump squares with that was not established beyond his own framing.
Whether President Trump endorsed in this race was not established from sources read.
No criticism of him by name from Chris Harden's campaign or from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was located.
Legal representation and due process for children and families, drawing on his juvenile court work.
Access to the courts and consumer legal protections, drawing on his estate and probate practice.
Representation for the northern Atlanta exurbs in a district that has not had a competitive general election.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Owns an estate planning and probate law firm with his wife in Cherokee County.
Serves as a government-appointed attorney representing children and families in juvenile courts.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Harden by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against John Cowan's campaign, and against Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WABE and Cherokee Tribune coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
His endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read.
His detailed federal policy positions were not established; the coverage found covers his professional background rather than a platform.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat: Republican incumbent Barry Loudermilk announced in February 2026 that he would not seek another term after six. Georgia held its primary on May 19, 2026, with runoffs on June 16; neurosurgeon John Cowan won the Republican runoff against Rob Adkerson by about 30 points, and lawyer Chris Harden won the Democratic primary. The district covers the northern exurbs of Atlanta. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WABE and Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting. Criticism of Harden by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Georgia ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.