Today I am announcing that I will run for the new Senate seat for District 52.  This new district was created in last year’s redistricting, as a result of increased population in Northwest Georgia.  As this region grows, it will need strong conservative leadership and effective decision-making to make the most of these new opportunities.  Instead of revisiting what worked for the passing generation, this is a call to leadership for our generation and for our children’s.   I want to be that leader for Senate District 52.

This area has faced a number of challenges in recent years, and it will take new energy and ideas to not only address them, but to take advantage of them, to find the opportunities in them, compound them, and generate success.  Turning around the economic status of Bartow County, Floyd County, and the entire Northwest Georgia area is going to take energy and someone who can sell it.

As state senator, I will be able to provide leadership not only for our Northwest region, but for the state of Georgia as well.  With crucial decisions to be made about education and transportation issues, focused conservative leadership is needed in the Senate, that can balance our needs for today with setting an example for the future.  For this need, I bring the Heart of a Servant and the Spirit of a Warrior.

This office will allow me to use my radio program as a weekly town hall meeting, to discuss subjects that affect the community, and to respond immediately via call-in and e-mails on the air.  This format will bring accessible leadership to the community and respond to its needs on a weekly basis and not just while the Georgia legislature is in session.

While providing leadership on a larger scale for Senate District 52, I will continue to support my home community as an emergency services officer for this region, responding to natural disasters and search and rescue missions.  Although I may be serving in Atlanta and attending meetings throughout the district, my home is here, my kids are here, and I will continue to provide leadership in my church and my community.

For the voters of this new Senate district as well as those who supported my campaign for the State House in 2010, I will answer this call for leadership – to bring new ideas and the energy to attract new business and growth opportunities, to develop new relationships in our communities to address these opportunities and challenges – for all of Northwest Georgia.

I ask for your vote, as I announce I am running for Senate District 52.  Decisions need to be made – on behalf of you and your family, our community, and for Georgia – and I will provide the leadership to make them.  Let’s build on our success, take good ideas and make them better, and let’s sell it together.  Our children’s futures depend on it