Georgia's blue, ahead of independent Republican (9)
I believe the answer is:
garibaldi
'republican' is the definition.
(Giuseppe Garibaldi)
'georgia's blue ahead of independent' is the wordplay.
'georgia' becomes 'GA' (abbreviation for the US state).
'blue' becomes 'ribald' (synonyms).
'ahead of' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (some letters go in front of others).
'independent' becomes 'i'.
'ga'+'ribald'+'i'='GARIBALDI'
(Other definitions for garibaldi that I've seen before include "blouse, loose one" , "Biscuit with currants" , "Currant sandwich biscuit" , "Currant biscuit - Italian patriot" , ""Squashed fly" biscuit?" .)