Who's In The Race

Voters in Georgia's 4th District have until Monday, Oct. 5, to register for the Nov. 3 election that will decide whether Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) returns for an 11th term. Johnson, who has held the seat since 2007, faces Republican James Duffie, a Navy veteran and longtime advocate for replacing the income tax.

The district takes in Atlanta's eastern suburbs, including parts of DeKalb County. Johnson won the May 19 Democratic primary with 79.3% of the vote over two challengers, while Duffie ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

What They Stand For

Johnson says his focus is lowering the cost of groceries, gas and housing and making health care affordable, according to a Decaturish candidate questionnaire. He calls the president's tariffs on Canada and Mexico "disastrous" and wants to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies.

He also backs Medicare for All for those who want it and supports term limits and four more seats on the Supreme Court. Johnson has called the war with Iran unconstitutional and says it must end.

Duffie served seven years in the Navy's nuclear submarine service and later studied nuclear engineering at Georgia Tech, according to Highlight Georgia. He has spent decades pushing the FairTax, a plan to replace federal income taxes with a national sales tax, and has served as state director of Georgians for Fair Taxation.

"Income tax is contrary to labor production because it taxes producers," Duffie said. He also calls for stronger support for law enforcement and more focus on reading and history in schools.

The Money Behind The Race

Johnson reported raising about $402,000 from Jan. 1, 2025, through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings. About $317,000 of that came from other political committees, and he had about $118,000 left at the end of June.

Race Outlook: Ratings And Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Democratic as of Sept. 25, and Inside Elections gave it the same rating as of Sept. 17. Sabato's Crystal Ball calls it Safe Democratic as of Sept. 22. On Kalshi, traders favored Johnson at about 97% as of 5:40 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Johnson won with about 76% of the vote in 2024 and about 78% in 2022. Statewide, Republicans won nine of Georgia's 14 House seats in both years, and Donald Trump carried Georgia with about 51% in 2024.

Early voting runs from Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 30. Georgia voters have until Friday, Oct. 23, to request an absentee ballot.

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