EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Tom Emmer endorses Houston Gaines for Georgia's 10th District
Rep. Tom Emmer's latest 2026 endorsement is obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R., Minn.) is making his latest 2026 moves, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter: the House GOP’s Whip is moving to clear the primary in Georgia’s 10th District for state Representative Houston Gaines in Georgia’s 10th District.
The seat, which is now open due to Rep. Mike Collins (R., Ga.) running for Senate, covers northeast Georgia, and Gaines has quickly proven to be a top fundraiser; he raised over $1 million in the first two months of his campaign.
“Houston Gaines is the type of America First Conservative we need in Congress. In the state legislature, Houston has delivered results for Northeast Georgia and in Washington, he’ll do the same,” Emmer explained. “I’m proud to endorse Houston Gaines for Congress, and know he will stand with House Republicans and President Trump.”
Gaines, for his part, said that he is “honored to have Congressman Tom Emmer’s endorsement, and I look forward to working with the Whip and the Republican Conference to continue delivering on President Trump’s agenda.”
“It’s critical that we keep the Republican majority in the House, Gaines added. “I plan to keep this seat red next November and work alongside Whip Emmer to grow the majority across the country. Next year’s midterms are critical for the future of America.”
While serving in the state legislature, Gaines has written over 20 bills that have passed, including one that bans local governments from defunding the police. He also helped craft a bill that reined in what he’s called “rogue district attorneys,” like Georgia’s Fani Willis.
Gaines joins a select crew of Republican non-incumbents endorsed by Emmer thus far. The others are Jim Kingston, running in Georgia’s 1st District, Chris McGowan running in Iowa’s 4th District, and former state Representative Joe Mitchell, running in Iowa’s 2nd District.