John
Cowan
Republican neurosurgeon John Cowan is running for Georgia's 11th Congressional District open seat in 2026.
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 15
Background
John Cowan is a Republican candidate for Georgia's 11th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. The FEC classifies the 2026 contest as an open seat, as incumbent Barry Loudermilk is not seeking reelection. Cowan is not currently an elected officeholder. 12)
Cowan is a practicing, board-certified neurosurgeon with AdventHealth Medical Group in Rome and Northwest Georgia, a position he has held since 2023. Prior to that, he served as a neurosurgeon at Harbin Clinic from 2008 to 2023, and he is also the CEO and founder of Cortex Holdings (2008–present). 192012
Cowan was raised in Cartersville, Georgia, on his family's farm in Bartow County. He earned a B.S. in physics from Davidson College (1997), an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2001), and completed a neurosurgery residency at the University of Michigan Medical School in 2008. 121920
Cowan previously ran in the 2020 Republican primary for Georgia's 14th Congressional District, where he was unsuccessful. His 2026 campaign platform emphasizes conservative and pro-business positions. 1714
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 11, Georgia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Neurosurgeon, AdventHealth Medical Group
- Website
- cowanforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsTribune Ledger-News publishes District 11 voter guide featuring Cowan's candidate responses
The Tribune Ledger-News published a voter guide for Georgia's 11th Congressional District on October 9, including responses from candidate John Cowan.
Voter Guide: U.S. Congress, District 11 · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsGray Media voter guide lists Cowan, Harden, and Richoz for GA-11; early voting set for Oct. 13
A voter guide published by WRDW/Gray Media listed John Cowan (R), Chris Harden (D), and Natalie Richoz (independent) as candidates for Georgia's 11th Congressional District, with early voting beginning October 13 and Election Day on November 3.
Georgia voter guide: Candidates, ballot measures, key dates for ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsCowan calls AI 'pivotal,' says it should be shepherded for good at Cobb GOP luncheon
At the same Cobb County Republican Women's Club luncheon, Cowan described artificial intelligence as a pivotal technology that should be used for good, not evil, and expressed excitement about its potential.
U.S. House candidate Cowan outlines policy positions at ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsCowan outlines health care and energy positions at Cobb County GOP luncheon
Speaking at a Cobb County Republican Women's Club luncheon, Cowan praised Tom Price's Empowering Patients First Act as a market-oriented ACA alternative, saying many Democrats now wish it had been enacted. On energy, he called for unleashing domestic energy, criticized the revocation of the Keystone XL permit, and advocated for domestic refineries and pipelines.
U.S. House candidate Cowan outlines policy positions at ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingCowan campaign finance report shows ~$2.3M raised, ~$18K cash on hand at end of June period
FEC-based figures published by ChamberLight show Cowan's campaign raised approximately $2.3 million, spent approximately $2.3 million, and held about $18,000 in cash at the close of the June 30 reporting period. Outside-group spending is excluded.
Georgia's 11th Congressional District 2026: Harden vs. Cowan | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 16newsCowan defeats Rob Adkerson in Republican runoff, secures GOP nomination for GA-11
John Cowan won the Republican primary runoff against Rob Adkerson, securing the party's nomination for Georgia's 11th Congressional District. The seat is open because incumbent Rep. Barry Loudermilk is not seeking reelection.
Georgia's 2026 midterm election: The major races and ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organizationListed by iVoterGuide as endorsing Cowan; no Cowan-specific announcement or date could be verified in NRA-PVF materials reviewed. nrapvf.org
- Dewayne Hill officialGeorgia official; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Steve Scalise officialU.S. representative; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Jeff Mullis officialGeorgia official; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Tom Emmer officialU.S. representative; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Chuck Hufstetler officialGeorgia official; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Mike Johnson officialSpeaker of the U.S. House; listed as an endorser by iVoterGuide and on Johnson's own endorsed-candidates page. No announcement date stated. mikejohnsonforlouisiana.com
- Drew Ferguson officialFormer U.S. representative; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Phil Gingrey officialFormer U.S. representative; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Greg Murphy officialU.S. representative; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Buddy Carter officialU.S. representative; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Kay Kirkpatrick officialGeorgia official; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Barry Loudermilk officialU.S. representative for Georgia's 11th District; Cowan cited Loudermilk's endorsement during an Atlanta Press Club debate on April 27, 2026, but the date of the endorsement itself was not established. pbs.org
- Chuck Payne officialGeorgia official; listed by iVoterGuide as an endorser. No date stated. ivoterguide.com
- Donald Trump officialTrump wrote 'Dr. John Cowan has my Complete and Total Endorsement' for Georgia's 11th District. trumpstruth.org · Jul 13, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | U.S. House GA-14 · R | Lost |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.35M
- Spent
- $2.33M
- Cash on hand
- $18K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H0GA14048(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] ENDORSED CANDIDATES - Speaker Mike Johnson(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Voter Guide: U.S. Congress, District 11(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Grades and Endorsements - NRA-PVF(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Georgia's 2026 midterm election: The major races and ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Georgia voter guide: Candidates, ballot measures, key dates for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] John A Cowan Jr(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [7] Voter Guide Profile for GA U.S. Rep., Dist. 11 candidate(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [8] Georgia's 11th Congressional District 2026: Harden vs. Cowan | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [9] U.S. House candidate Cowan outlines policy positions at ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [10] It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Dr. ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 13, 2026
- [11] Issues - Dr. John Cowan – Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 11, 2026
- [12] Atlanta Press Club | Georgia Congressional District 11 Republicans(opens in a new tab) Apr 27, 2026