The GA Files · 2026 Candidates

U.S. House — District 11

Chris Harden (D) vs. John Cowan (R)

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D

Chris Harden

Democratic nominee (open seat)

A Democrat running for the open 11th District seat left by retiring Republican Barry Loudermilk. He won the Democratic primary and faces long odds in the Republican-leaning Atlanta-suburb-and-exurb district.

Previously held

  • First-time congressional candidate

Top contributors

A grassroots campaign — about $54,000 raised, essentially all from individuals with no PAC money. No donor base to report.

$53,676 raised · $3,955 cash on hand — as of Apr 29, 2026 (FEC latest filing).

Source: FEC — Chris Harden · Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026

Where they stand

Federal spending & debt

Frames the budget around affordability and public investment over cuts; as a first-time challenger has no voting record.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Education

Supports public-school investment.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Healthcare

Backs expanding coverage and lowering costs.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Social Security reform

Opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Minimum Wage

Supports raising the federal minimum wage.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Homelessness

Backs federal affordable-housing investment.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Veterans Affairs

Supports strengthening VA care.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Immigration

Supports humane reform and a path to citizenship.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Gun Control

Supports gun-safety measures.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Abortion

Supports abortion rights and restoring Roe-era protections.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
LGBTQ+

Supports LGBTQ+ equality.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
DEI

Supports diversity and inclusion.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Marijuana

Supports marijuana decriminalization and reform.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026
Data centers & AI

Has not detailed a specific AI or data-center position.

Source: Ballotpedia — GA-11, 2026

Scandals

None documented.

R

John Cowan

Republican nominee (open seat)

A Rome neurosurgeon and the Republican nominee for the open 11th District after Barry Loudermilk's retirement. He previously ran for Congress in 2020, challenging Marjorie Taylor Greene in the GA-14 GOP primary, and won the 2026 11th-District runoff. The district leans strongly Republican.

Previously held

  • Neurosurgeon
  • 2020 Republican candidate, GA-14

Top contributors

Raised about $2.1 million — mostly individual money plus roughly $64,000 in PACs dominated by the medical profession he comes from: neurosurgeons, the AMA, radiologists, and dermatologists. Filed with the FEC.

  • $10,000.00American Assn of Neurological Surgeons PAC (physicians)
  • $5,000.00American Medical Association PAC (physicians)
  • $5,000.00American College of Radiology PAC (physicians)
  • $5,000.00American Academy of Dermatology SKINPAC (physicians)
  • $5,000.00Healthcare Freedom Fund (healthcare)
  • $3,500.00Patriot Fund (GOP leadership PAC)

$2,145,885 raised · $207,288 cash on hand — as of May 27, 2026 (FEC latest filing).

Source: FEC — John Cowan

Where they stand

Federal spending & debt

A fiscal conservative who backs spending cuts and a balanced budget.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Education

Supports school choice and local control.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Healthcare

A practicing neurosurgeon who opposes single-payer and favors market-based, doctor-led healthcare reform.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Social Security reform

Says current seniors' benefits should be protected while pressing for fiscal restraint.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Minimum Wage

Has not detailed a minimum-wage position.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Homelessness

Has not addressed housing or homelessness.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Veterans Affairs

Supports strengthening veterans' care and a strong military.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Immigration

A border hardliner who supports tougher enforcement.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Gun Control

A Second Amendment supporter opposing new restrictions.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Abortion

Anti-abortion, citing his medical background.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
LGBTQ+

Has not detailed LGBTQ+ positions.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
DEI

Aligns with GOP opposition to DEI mandates.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Marijuana

Has taken a cautious stance and not pushed federal legalization.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan
Data centers & AI

Has not addressed AI or data-center policy.

Source: Ballotpedia — John Cowan

Scandals

None documented.

Every entry is drawn from published reporting, official records, or the candidate's own statements, with sources on each item. Policy summaries are condensed and reflect stated positions; allegations or unresolved matters are labeled as such, and inclusion is not a finding of guilt. Last updated 2026-06-17.