Physician Announces Campaign for Georgia's 11th Congressional District

Dr. John Cowan, a Republican from Cartersville, enters the race to replace retiring Rep. Barry Loudermilk.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Dr. John Cowan, a physician from Cartersville, Georgia, announced on Monday that he will be running for the 11th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 11th District includes most of East Cobb County and is currently represented by six-term Republican Barry Loudermilk, who is not seeking re-election.

Why it matters

The 11th Congressional District race is expected to be a competitive Republican-leaning seat, with several candidates from both parties already announcing their campaigns. Cowan's entry as a well-funded Republican challenger could shape the dynamics of the primary and general election.

The details

Cowan, a neurosurgeon with a private practice in Cartersville, previously ran for Georgia's 14th Congressional District in 2020, losing in the Republican primary runoff to Marjorie Taylor Greene. In his announcement, Cowan said he has $1.5 million in his campaign account and is running to "put people ahead of politics and do what's right for hardworking Georgians." The only other Republican to announce for the 11th District race so far is Chris Mora, a local party activist from Pickens County.

  • Dr. John Cowan announced his campaign on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The Georgia Congressional primaries will be held on May 19, 2026.
  • Candidate qualifying for the race takes place from March 2-6, 2026.

The players

Dr. John Cowan

A Republican physician from Cartersville, Georgia, who is running for the 11th Congressional District seat. Cowan previously ran for Georgia's 14th Congressional District in 2020.

Barry Loudermilk

The current six-term Republican U.S. Representative for Georgia's 11th Congressional District, who announced he is not seeking re-election.

Marjorie Taylor Greene

The former Republican U.S. Representative for Georgia's 14th Congressional District, who recently resigned her seat in Congress.

Chris Mora

A local Republican party activist from Pickens County, Georgia, who has also announced a campaign for the 11th Congressional District.

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What they’re saying

“I'm running for Congress because I believe our country works best when serious people step up to solve serious problems. I'm not running to be loud or to chase headlines. I'm running to put people ahead of politics and do what's right for hardworking Georgians, representing the 11th District with integrity and common sense.”

— Dr. John Cowan, Candidate for Georgia's 11th Congressional District (eastcobbnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This race for Georgia's 11th Congressional District seat will be an important one to watch, as it could help shape the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cowan's entry as a well-funded Republican challenger adds an interesting dynamic to the primary, and the eventual nominee will face a potentially competitive general election in this GOP-leaning district.