Andrew Clyde

Andrew S. Clyde (born November 22, 1963) is an American politician and businessman from the state of Georgia. A Republican, Clyde is the representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

For the film and television actor, see Andy Clyde.
Andrew Clyde
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 9th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byDoug Collins
Personal details
Born (1963-11-22) November 22, 1963
Ontario, Canada
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Jennifer Morgan
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BA)
Bethel University (BBA)
University of Georgia (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1985–1996 (Active)
1996–2013 (Reserve)
RankCommander

Early life and education

Clyde was born on November 22, 1963,[1] in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada, the son of American parents.[2] He grew up in Indiana.[3] Clyde attended and graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy through Notre Dame's NROTC program. He served for 28 years in the Seabees, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, and Kuwait including three combat deployments.[4][5] While in the Navy, Clyde earned a Bachelor of Business Administration cum laude from Bethel University in Indiana.[6]

Clyde retired with the rank of Commander in 1996.[4][3] He had received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal, and four Navy Commendation Medals.[4] He chose to settle in Athens, Georgia, where he had taught at the Navy Supply Corps School in 1994. Clyde earned a Master of Business Administration in corporate finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business in 1999.[3][7]

Career

Clyde opened a gun shop, Clyde Armory, Inc., out of his garage in 1991. He obtained commercial real estate for the store in 1999, and moved from the 2,900-square-foot (270 m2) building to a custom-built 12,400-square-foot (1,150 m2) edifice based on a historical armory in 2005.[3] Clyde opened a second location in Warner Robins, Georgia. He grew the business to $12 million annually in sales and 30 employees.[6] In 2013, he was subject to a civil asset forfeiture of $940,000 by the Internal Revenue Service. It was later reversed, refunding him $900,000.[4]

Following the civil asset forfeiture, Clyde advocated reform in testimony before the United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.[8] In 2019, Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed the Taxpayer First Act (H.R. 3151), which includes the Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act. The law limits what funds the IRS can seize.[9]

Clyde was a member of the board of directors of Clark Federal Credit Union, and donated a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) facility to Mercy Health Center and Athens Crisis Pregnancy Center in 2013.[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

2020
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia § District 9

In the 2020 elections, Clyde announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives for Georgia's 9th congressional district, after Doug Collins decided not to seek reelection to run for the United States Senate. During the campaign, he sued the city of Athens, Georgia over the shelter-in-place order imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled his business to close.[10] Clyde finished in second place in the nine-way primary–the real contest in this heavily Republican district–and faced State Representative Matt Gurtler in a runoff election.[11][12] He then defeated Gurtler in the runoff election on August 11 to win the Republican nomination.[13]

In the November 2020 general election, Clyde defeated Democratic nominee and former U.S. Army warrant officer Devin Pandy.[14] He assumed office on January 3, 2021.[15]

Personal life

Clyde and his wife, Jennifer, live in unincorporated Jackson County[16] (with an Athens address).[17]

References
  1. Bowden, John (November 30, 2020). "Rep.-elect Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.-09)". The Hill. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. "U.S. House 9th District preview: What motivated Andrew Clyde to run for Congress". www.dawsonnews.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  3. "Gun dealer finds inspiration for new building". Savannah Morning News. The Associated Press. May 29, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. "Athens business owner Andrew Clyde to run for 9th District in U.S. House". www.forsythnews.com. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  5. Kallis, Sarah. "Election 2020: Clyde, Gurtler qualify for GOP runoff in 9th Congressional District". ajc. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  6. "Wall of Fame Recipients Honored | Bethel University". Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  7. "Athens business owner Andrew Clyde to run for 9th District in U.S. House". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  8. Jim Thompson. "Athens gun shop owner testifies to Congress on asset seizure - News - Athens Banner-Herald - Athens, GA". Onlineathens.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  9. Lee Shearer. "Federal bill bears Athens man's name - News - Athens Banner-Herald - Athens, GA". Onlineathens.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  10. Shearer, Lee. "Gun dealer sues over Athens-Clarke shelter-in-place ordinance". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  11. "Clyde, Gurtler, vie for Republican nod in northeast Georgia". AP NEWS. August 6, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  12. "Matt Gurtler, Andrew Clyde likely runoff opponents in Georgia's 9th Congressional District". www.dawsonnews.com. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  13. "Andrew Clyde wins Republican nomination to US House 9th District". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. "Republican Andrew Clyde wins election to U.S. House in Georgia's 9th Congressional District". Valdosta Daily Times. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  15. https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/politics/andrew-clyde-returning-dc-where-his-successful-run-congress-was-inspired/
  16. "9th District congressional candidates share their platforms | Hartwell Sun, Hartwell, Georgia". www.thehartwellsun.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  17. Official member list for 117th Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Doug Collins		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 9th congressional district
2021–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Madison Cawthorn		 United States Representatives by seniority
386th		 Succeeded by
Byron Donalds
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