Politics & Government
Rep. Earl Ehrhart Retiring, Wife Running For Seat
Ehrhart, who has served in the House for more than 30 years, is the longest-serving Republican in that chamber.
POWDER SPRINGS, GA — State Rep. Earl Ehrhart, the conservative Cobb County Republican who is his party's longest-serving member in the House, is retiring. And he's endorsing his wife to take over the seat he will vacate.
Ehrhart announced his retirement, after 30 years in the General Assembly, on Monday.
On Facebook Ehrhart, of Powder Springs, said he is retiring from public office "to pursue new opportunities in the private sector."
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"It has been an honor and privilege to serve my fellow Georgians for more than three decades," said Ehrhart, who has served as Republican Whip in the House, chairman of the influential Rules committee and chairman of a subcommittee that handles funding for the states colleges and universities.
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In the same Facebook post, Ehrhart, 58, endorsed his wife, Ginny Ehrhart, to replace him as representative for the 36th District, which covers much of west Cobb County.
"She will work and fight for our district, our families, our businesses, and the values we hold so dear," Ehrhart said.
On her own Facebook page, Ginny Ehrhart described herself as "a Reagan conservative, a believer in personal freedom, individual responsibility, limited government, the sanctity of life, and the right to bear arms."
"At the Georgia Capitol I will work for you, your families, your businesses, and the values we Georgians hold dear," she wrote.
A former high school economics and American government teacher who home-schooled her children, Ginny Ehrhart founded a home-decor design and manufacturing company, Southern Sisters Enterprises. A frequent speaker on television and radio, she has written two cookbooks, "Sunday in the South" and "Seasons in the South," and hosts the weekly lifestyle show "Southern Sisters Radio" on 920 AM in Atlanta.
At the state capitol, candidates are qualifying this week to run for state offices in this year's elections.
Top photo via State Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-36) Facebook page. Bottom photo via GinnyForGeorgia.com.
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