Andrew Clyde

Andrew Clyde
Born	Andrew Scott Clyde 22 11, 1963
Birthplace	Walkerton, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Known for	U.S. Representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district
Education	University of Notre Dame Bethel University (BBA) University of Georgia (MBA)
Spouse(s)	Jennifer Morgan
Website	[[clyde.house.gov clyde.house.gov] Official site]

Andrew Scott Clyde (born November 22, 1963) is an American politician, businessman, and U.S. Navy Reserve veteran serving as the U.S. representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district since January 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Clyde represents a large expanse of exurban and rural territory in northeast Georgia, including the communities of Gainesville, Toccoa, Hartwell, and Dahlonega. Before entering politics, Clyde was the owner of Clyde Armory, a firearms dealership based in Athens, Georgia, and served as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He first won election to Congress in 2020 after a competitive Republican primary and runoff, succeeding Doug Collins, who vacated the seat to run for the U.S. Senate. Since taking office, Clyde has drawn national attention for his opposition to the certification of certain states' results in the 2020 presidential election and for his characterization of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Early Life

Andrew Scott Clyde was born on November 22, 1963, in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada. Details about his parents and upbringing in Canada are limited in available public sources. Clyde later relocated to the United States, where he pursued higher education and a career in business and military service.

Clyde served in the United States Navy Reserve, ultimately attaining the rank of commander. His military service became a significant element of his public identity and political campaigns, forming part of the biographical narrative he presented to voters in Georgia's 9th congressional district.

After completing his education and military service, Clyde established himself in Athens, Georgia, where he founded and operated Clyde Armory, a firearms dealership. The business became a central part of his professional identity and informed many of his political positions, particularly his advocacy for Second Amendment rights.

Education

Clyde attended the University of Notre Dame before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. He later obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Georgia. In 2015, Bethel University honored Clyde as a recipient of the institution's Wall of Fame award, recognizing his achievements in business and community service following his graduation.

Career

Business Career

Prior to entering public office, Clyde was best known as the owner of Clyde Armory, a federally licensed firearms dealership located in Athens, Georgia. The business specialized in the sale of firearms and related accessories, and Clyde operated it for a number of years, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the Athens business community. His experience as a gun store owner shaped his political outlook, particularly his positions on gun rights and federal firearms regulations.

In 2015, the Athens Banner-Herald profiled Clyde in connection with federal legislation that bore his name, reflecting his advocacy efforts related to firearms policy before he entered electoral politics.

Clyde's business activities intersected with public policy in 2020 when he filed a lawsuit against Athens-Clarke County over its shelter-in-place ordinance enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clyde, as a firearms dealer, challenged the restrictions on the grounds that they infringed on his ability to operate his business and on the rights of citizens to purchase firearms. The lawsuit drew attention during the early months of the pandemic and became part of his public profile as he simultaneously launched his congressional campaign.

2020 Congressional Campaign

In 2020, Clyde announced his candidacy for Georgia's 9th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat became open after incumbent Republican Doug Collins chose not to seek reelection, instead running in the special election for a U.S. Senate seat.

The Republican primary for the safely Republican district was the contest that effectively determined the eventual winner. Clyde faced several opponents, including state Representative Matt Gurtler, in a crowded primary field. After no candidate secured a majority in the initial primary, Clyde and Gurtler advanced to a runoff election.

During the campaign, Clyde emphasized his background as a business owner, his military service in the Navy Reserve, and his commitment to conservative principles including gun rights, fiscal responsibility, and limited government. His lawsuit against Athens-Clarke County's COVID-19 restrictions also featured in his campaign narrative, positioning him as a defender of constitutional rights and business interests during the pandemic.

Clyde won the Republican runoff, securing the party's nomination for the 9th district. He then won the general election in November 2020 in the heavily Republican district.

U.S. House of Representatives

Clyde was sworn into office on January 3, 2021, succeeding Doug Collins as the representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district. His district encompasses a large portion of northeast Georgia, including the cities of Gainesville, Toccoa, Hartwell, and Dahlonega, along with surrounding rural and exurban communities.

2020 Election Certification and January 6

Shortly after taking office, Clyde voted against certifying the electoral results from Arizona and Pennsylvania during the January 6, 2021, joint session of Congress to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. His vote was part of a broader effort by a group of Republican members of Congress who objected to the certification of certain states' electoral votes, citing concerns about election integrity.

The events of January 6, 2021, in which a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol building during the certification process, became a defining issue for Clyde. During the breach, Clyde acknowledged that he had helped barricade the doors of the House chamber to prevent the mob from entering. However, in subsequent public statements, Clyde generated significant controversy by describing the events as "no insurrection" and comparing the breach to a "normal tourist visit." The contrast between his on-the-day acknowledgment of helping to barricade the chamber "from the mob who tried to enter" and his later characterization of events drew widespread media scrutiny and criticism.

Legislative Priorities

In Congress, Clyde has focused on a range of conservative policy priorities. His legislative record reflects his background as a firearms dealer and his commitment to Second Amendment issues, fiscal conservatism, and immigration enforcement.

In September 2025, Clyde, along with Senator Ted Cruz, introduced the Commonsense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now (CLEAN) in D.C. Act, legislation aimed at law enforcement policy in the District of Columbia.

Clyde has also been involved in immigration-related policy and constituency work. In February 2026, his office publicized the Oakwood ICE Facility in his district, relating to Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations following engineering assessments.

In January 2026, Clyde penned an op-ed in The Gainesville Times reflecting on the first year of President Trump's second term and outlining what he described as legislative and policy achievements.

District and Constituent Services

Clyde has maintained an active presence in his district through constituent services and community engagement programs. His office operates out of Gainesville, Georgia, and regularly hosts events and recognizes local achievements.

In February 2026, Clyde honored Sky Valley Police Officer Andrew Williams as a "Special Georgian of the Ninth," a recognition program through which the congressman highlights individuals who have made notable contributions to their communities within the 9th congressional district.

Clyde hosted winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge at his Gainesville District Office, recognizing students in his district for their achievements in technology and coding. He also announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, inviting high school students across the 9th district to participate.

In late January 2026, following Winter Storm Fern, Clyde visited White, Habersham, and Rabun Counties to assess storm damage, meeting with local officials and residents affected by the severe weather event.

Clyde also engaged in municipal matters within his district, releasing a statement in February 2026 after the City of Mulberry received its certified census resolution, an issue related to the community's official population count and municipal status.

Personal Life

Clyde is married to Jennifer Morgan. He resides in the Athens, Georgia, area, where he has been based for much of his adult life through his business operations at Clyde Armory.

Born in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada, Clyde is a naturalized American citizen who served in the United States Navy Reserve, achieving the rank of commander. His military service has been a prominent element of his public biography and political identity.

Clyde's ownership of Clyde Armory, a firearms dealership, has been a defining aspect of both his personal and professional life, informing his political positions on gun rights and federal regulation of firearms.

Recognition

In 2015, Clyde was inducted into the Wall of Fame at Bethel University, his undergraduate alma mater, in recognition of his accomplishments in business and public service.

His 2019 profile in the Athens Banner-Herald noted that federal legislation bore his name, reflecting his advocacy in firearms policy prior to his election to Congress.

As a member of Congress, Clyde has received attention both for his legislative work and for his controversial statements regarding the events of January 6, 2021. His comparison of the Capitol breach to a "normal tourist visit" was widely reported in national media and became one of the most frequently cited remarks by a member of Congress regarding the attack.