Democrat announces 11th Congressional District candidacy Archives

Chris Harden, an attorney from Cherokee County, has announced his candidacy for the 11th Congressional District of Georgia as a Democrat.

The 11th District includes East Cobb and parts of North Cobb and is represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, who is serving his sixth term.

In announcing his campaign, Harden is calling himself “a moderate Democrat focused on results, not rhetoric.” The 11th District is one of the most conservative in Georgia and includes western Cherokee County, as well as Bartow, Gordon and Pickens counties.

Harden’s campaign website can be found by clicking here.

He said his priorities would be strengthening public education, expanding affordable healthcare access and “restoring common sense and stability in government.

“My life is proof that when communities invest in people, families can thrive,” Harden said in his announcement statement that was issued over the weekend.

“But right now, too many families in Northwest Georgia feel like they’re falling behind while chaos and dysfunction dominate our politics. I’m running for Congress to bring common sense back into the conversation — and to focus on real solutions, not shouting matches.”

Harden is one of four Democratic candidates who have announced for the 11th District seat. The others are Chase Lamanick of Kennesaw, Christopher Dale Vines of Atlanta and Barry Wolfert, a real estate professional.

Loudermilk, of Cassville, was re-elected in 2024 with 65 percent of the vote. The only other Republican who has announced is Chris Mora, a Republican Party activist from Pickens County. There is one independent candidate, Natalie Richoz, of Cassville.

The Georgia Congressional primaries will be May 19. Candidate qualifying takes place from March 2-6.

Harden is a native Rossville, Ga., and graduated from Georgia State University. He earned a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta.

He worked as an attorney in juvenile courts in northwest Georgia and founded Harden Law Firm, LLC, an estate planning and probate practice in downtown Woodstock he operates with his wife. They are the parents of triplets.

Harden said he would work to make healthcare and prescription drug costs lower and to expand coverage to rural and underserved communities, offering a few more details about that and his other main issues on his website.

“Northwest Georgia deserves a representative who shows up, treats people with respect, and works every single day to make their lives better,” Harden said. “I’m not running to add to the noise—I’m running to cut through it. Together, we can build a future rooted in stability, opportunity, and common sense.”

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