Andrew Clyde is the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, serving since 2021. His district covers a significant portion of northeastern Georgia, including cities such as Gainesville, Toccoa, Hartwell, and Dahlonega.
Career Path to Congress
Military Service: Clyde was commissioned through the University of Notre Dame and served as a U.S. Navy officer for 28 years, completing three combat deployments to Kuwait and Iraq.
Entrepreneurship: After his military career, Clyde settled in Athens, Georgia, and founded Clyde Armory in 1991. Starting as a small firearms service in his garage, the business expanded into a nationwide company with two brick-and-mortar locations in Georgia.
Political Career: In 2020, Clyde was elected to represent Georgia’s 9th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2021, and has been serving since.
Sponsored Legislation
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Clyde has sponsored several pieces of legislation. Notable examples include:
- Disapproval of the D.C. Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022: Clyde sponsored a resolution expressing disapproval of the District of Columbia’s Revised Criminal Code Act.
- Disapproval of ATF Rule on Stabilizing Braces: He sponsored a resolution to disapprove the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ rule regarding stabilizing braces.
Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues
Abortion: Clyde voted in favor of the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” which mandates that any infant born alive after an attempted abortion receives the same legal protection as any newborn.
Second Amendment Rights: As a firearms business owner, Clyde is a staunch advocate for gun rights. He has sponsored legislation opposing federal regulations on firearms, such as the disapproval of the ATF’s rule on stabilizing braces.
LGBTQ+ Issues: Clyde has consistently voted against legislation aimed at expanding protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, reflecting his conservative stance on these issues.
Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues
Taxation and Government Spending: Clyde supports reducing government spending and lowering taxes. He has opposed bills he views as contributing to excessive government expenditure.
Healthcare: Clyde opposes the Affordable Care Act and has voted for its repeal, advocating for market-based solutions to healthcare.
Regulatory Reform: He supports deregulation, particularly in sectors like firearms and small businesses, aiming to reduce what he considers government overreach.
Demographics of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District
As of the latest available data, Georgia’s 9th Congressional District has the following demographic characteristics:
- Population: Approximately 730,000 residents.
- Race and Ethnicity:
- White: 83%
- Black or African American: 7%
- Hispanic or Latino: 6%
- Asian: 2%
- Other races: 2%
- Median Household Income: Around $50,000.
- Education:
- High school graduate or higher: 85%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20%
These demographics highlight a predominantly white, rural population with a median income below the national average. Congressman Andrew Clyde’s background as a military veteran and small business owner informs his conservative positions on various social and economic issues, aligning with the preferences of his constituents in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District.