State Senator John Wilkinson announced today that he plans to run for the 9th district congressional seat. This election will be to replace Congressman Doug Collins, who has announced that he will be running for a seat in the United States Senate.
Wilkinson announced his intention to run for Congress just moments after Collins announced his bid for Senate on national news Wednesday.
Doug Collins announces US Senate bid
“This is a critical time for our country, and we need an experienced, conservative voice willing to stand up for the values that residents of North Georgia hold dear,” says Wilkinson. “For the past eight years in Atlanta, I have fought to eliminate useless red tape and regulation of business, defended the sanctity of all life, and fought for our constitutional rights guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment. I look forward to continuing that fight in Washington.”
Wilkinson, a Republican, was first elected to the Georgia Senate in 2011. He currently serves as Chair of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and as Vice Chairman of the Senate Education and Youth Committee. For the past six years, Sen. Wilkinson has served as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus.
READ Wilkinson’s full announcement here
Wilkinson is a native of Toccoa and a graduate of Stephens County High School. Before entering politics, he taught and served on the State Agricultural Education staff for 26 years.
A wide-open race
Wilkinson enters a congressional race already fielded by Democrats Devin Pandy, Antwon Stephens, and Dan Wilson. Now that Collins has announced his plans to run for the U.S. Senate, more candidates are expected to enter the race.
Other possible GOP contenders include former U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, who lives in Towns County, State Rep. Kevin Tanner of Dawsonville and state Rep. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega.
Georgia’s 9th congressional district includes all of Banks, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties. The district also includes portions of Clarke, Forsyth, and Pickens counties.
Updated 1/29/20@12:35pm
