Former Floyd Commissioners Seek State Senate Seat

The realigned state Senate district that covers all Floyd County and portions of three others is back up to two confirmed contenders.

While previous State Transportation Board member and Floyd Commission chairman David Doss threw his hat Dec. 3 on his dad's birthday, former Floyd commissioner Chuck Hufstetler this week announced a bid for the .

Fellow GOP candidate and a third former Floyd commissioner, Chad Whitfield had said he'd enter the race, but dropped out, citing a pending business deal and lack of financial support from donors this year, Rome News-Tribune reported.

Would a Bartow candidate have a shot in the District 52 race against at least two Floyd natives? Who should run for the seat? Tell us in the comments below.

The redrawn district covers less than half of Gordon and Bartow counties, including southern parts of Cartersville, and a smaller portion of Chattooga. It resembles an inverted triangle, with Cartersville on the district border.

Current District 52 State Sen. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, will , which includes the remainder of Cartersville, northern and eastern portions of Bartow, and part of Cherokee County.

District 31, now represented by State Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen, currently includes Cartersville and a section of the county, but will shift outside Bartow as a result of redistricting.

Based on the results of the 2010 Census—population growth—Georgia gained the new congressional district and realigned its voting map. residents, for the first time .

Important issues for Bartow, Floyd and the region likely include high unemployment, the push for job creation via economic development, and transportation—the voters will decide and the proposed U.S. 411 Connector that would connect Interstate 75 in Cartersville to 411 toward Rome.

Both Doss and Hufstetler say they will qualify as Republicans for the July 31 primary. See the texts of the candidates' press releases attached as .pdfs.

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