ATLANTA — Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who expressed racist views and support for QAnon conspiracy theories in a series of online videos, has won a U.S. House seat representing northwest Georgia.
Her candidacy was bolstered by President Donald Trump, who has called her a “future Republican Star.”
Ms. Greene was heavily favored in the conservative district even before Democratic challenger Kevin Van Ausdal suddenly dropped out in September, saying he was moving out of state.
Ms. Greene is a businesswoman and political newcomer who’s gained large followings on social media in part by posting incendiary videos and comments.
“BIG WIN TONIGHT!” Ms. Greene tweeted Tuesday. “THANK YOU to the people of NW Georgia for choosing me to fight for them in Washington, DC!”
BIG WIN TONIGHT!
— Marjorie Taylor Greene For Congress???????? (@mtgreenee) November 4, 2020
THANK YOU to the people of NW Georgia for choosing me to fight for them in Washington, DC!#gapol #ga14 #SASS #MAGA #KAG pic.twitter.com/mAojB8cw60
Ms. Greene has claimed in online videos that Black and Hispanic men are being held back by “gangs and dealing drugs,” alleged an “Islamic invasion” of government offices, and accused Jewish billionaire George Soros of collaborating with Nazis.
She has also embraced QAnon, a far-right U.S. conspiracy theory centered around the debunked belief that Mr. Trump is fighting a secret campaign against “deep state” enemies and a child sex trafficking ring of satanic pedophiles and cannibals.
In more recent videos and posts, she has attacked everything from the Black Lives Matter movement to the use of face masks to protect against the coronavirus.
After some of her comments came to light, Ms. Greene was condemned by some future House colleagues within her own party, but many other Republicans including Mr. Trump and Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., have embraced her.
She had a blunt message for her detractors in a speech after winning a GOP primary runoff in August: “I will not apologize.”
“Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent,” Mr. Trump tweeted after her primary win. “Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER!”
Ms. Greene initially started campaigning for a different House seat, challenging Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, made up of suburbs north of Atlanta. She switched to the more conservative 14th District after Republican Rep. Tom Graves announced that he wasn’t seeking re-election.
Democrats weren’t able to replace Mr. Van Ausdal on the ballot because he dropped out too close to the election, leaving Ms. Greene essentially unopposed in the race.
The seat has been open since Mr. Graves stepped down in October.
Updated Nov. 3, 2020, 9:38 p.m.
First Published: November 4, 2020, 2:33 a.m.