Politics & Government

Judge: Cartersville Senate Candidate Meets Residency Requirement To Seek District 14 Seat

Secretary of State Brian Kemp will have the final say on whether Matt Laughridge is eligible to hold the seat vacated by Barry Loudermilk of Bartow.

An administrative law judge has decided Matt Laughridge of Cartersville meets the one-year residency requirement to hold office in State Senate District 14, according to the seven-page decision from the Office of State Administrative Hearings, above.

Having trouble viewing the decision on your mobile device? Click here.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp is set to make a final decision on Laughridge's eligibility for candidacy.

He is vying for the state Senate seat vacated by Barry Loudermilk, who resigned to focus in his Congressional bid. The newly-created District 14 covers portions of Bartow, including Cartersville, and Cherokee counties, and now five candidates want to replace Loudermilk.

Republican Dean Sheridan of Acworth in southwest Cherokee County has pulled out of the race.

Laughridge faces challenges from three other Republicans:

One Democrat has qualified for the post: Christopher G. Nesmith of Adairsville.

The winner of the Nov. 5 special election will represent portions of eastern Bartow, western Cherokee and a very small portion of northeast Cobb County in the Georgia General Assembly. 

Loudermilk last month resigned to focus on his bid to become the next U.S. Congressman from Georgia. He is running for the Georgia District 11 seat to replace Phil Gingrey, who is running for the U.S. Senate. 

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