50th District State Senator Bo Hatchett has formally kicked off his campaign for re-election. The first-term senator from Cornelia announced his plans to seek re-election during a Christmas event fundraiser on December 11.
“We’ve gotten a lot done; we have a lot more to do. I’m officially tonight, going to be announcing my re-election for the next go-’round,” he told those gathered at the Cornelia Community House in Cornelia to applause, adding, “I want to be your State Senator serving you as long as possible.”
The gathering included a number of high-profile guests including Congressman Andrew Clyde, Georgia Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Senate candidate Gary Black, and former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue. Local elected officials were also on hand to show their support.
First year in office. First to announce.
In 2020, Hatchett survived a protracted GOP primary and tough runoff campaign against former Habersham County commission chair Stacy Hall. He defeated Democratic challenger Dee Daily in the general election, succeeding in his first bid for public office.
Since taking office, Hatchett has maintained his conservative credentials, voting in favor of the state’s controversial new election law (SB 202) and expanding weapons carry license reciprocity in Georgia (HB 218). Hatchett also voted to restrict the governor’s use of emergency powers on firearms and other weapons (SB 214) and co-sponsored a bill banning transgender girls from competing in female public school sporting events (SB 266).
In addition to those measures, Hatchett – whose district includes the counties of Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, and Towns plus portions of Hall and Jackson – supported the governor’s budget extending supplemental pay for teachers and expanding broadband services in Georgia. He sponsored legislation to launch a pilot program allowing high school students to earn a diploma while taking job training courses at a technical college (SB 204) and voted to provide a tax credit for Georgians adopting foster children.
The freshman senator and practicing attorney also sponsored a bill to strengthen the state’s juvenile protection laws (SB 28) and voted on several measures aimed at protecting and defending victims of human trafficking.
VIEW: Sen. Bo Hatchett’s voting record
“My job, for you guys, is to be your lobbyist at the Capitol,” Hatchett told his supporters on Saturday.
Hatchett is the first candidate to announce his intentions to run in the 50th District next year. In the newly-drawn state Senate map, the district includes the eastern portion of White County.
Sen. Hatchett and his wife Ashley live in Cornelia with their three young daughters, Hallie, Hazel, and Heidi.
