Matt Gurtler and Andrew Clyde are headed to a runoff for the Republican nomination for Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District seat.
With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Gurtler has acquired 22.4% of the votes, while Clyde has 18.6%.
The runoff for the Republican nomination will be held on Aug. 11 between Gurtler and Clyde. The winner will then face the Democratic nominee in the general election on Nov. 11, 2020. The Democratic nomination for the Ninth Congressional District will also likely head to a runoff between Devin Pandy and Brooke Siskin.
Gurtler, who lives in Tiger, has been problematic for Republican leaders in the past, with some calling him "Dr. No" because of his tendency to vote against legislation. Gurtler has the endorsement of Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and US House Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), and was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016, then reelected in 2018.
Gurtler's website states he "will fight to protect your right to keep and bear arms," support pro-life legislation, and advocate the reduction or elimination of taxes.
Clyde, a Navy veteran, owns Clyde Armory, a firearms business which he started in 1991. Clyde aims to dismantle the IRS, after they seized $940,000 from his business in 2013. Clyde challenged the IRS over this seizure and, “He eventually won but knew he couldn't stop there,” his website reads.
Clyde also supports pro-life legislation, second amendment rights, and the limiting of government reach.
The Ninth Congressional District seat has been held by Republican Doug Collins since 2013, who opted to pursue a seat in the US Senate in a special election against incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler this fall.
