State Sen. Colton Moore, a far-right legislator from northwest Georgia who has patterned himself after U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, appeared headed toward victory in a primary election Tuesday, putting him in a strong position to retain his position in the Statehouse.

Moore staved off a challenge from political newcomer Angela Pence. With a majority of votes in the district tallied Tuesday evening, Moore had received more than 70% of the vote to serve Senate District 53, which includes Chattooga, Dade, Walker and parts of Catoosa counties.

The Republican lawmaker’s easy victory came despite his suspension from the Senate GOP Caucus. He was cited in September with a rules violation after he harassed his Republican colleagues for refusing to call a special legislative session to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Then, in March, Moore was banned from the Georgia House chamber after he criticized the late House Speaker David Ralston in front of his family and opposed naming a university building in his honor.

Moore had far outraised Pence in campaign contributions. He had more than $274,000 in donations, according to an April filing, compared with her $3,600. Pence previously attempted to run as a Libertarian candidate against Greene but failed to get enough signatures to place her name on the ballot.

A Democratic candidate for the position, Bart Alexander Bryant, will face Moore in the general election in November in the heavily Republican district.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Charlie Bailey, the newly-elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, has been involved in Democratic politics since college as part of the Young Democrats of the University of Georgia. (AJC 2022)

Credit: AJC file photo

Featured

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., speaks at the Johnny Mercer Theatre Civic Center, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Credit: AP