COOLIDGE —
With the resignation of state Sen. John Bulloch, former Republican congressional candidate and state Rep. Mike Keown said Friday he will seek Bulloch’s vacated post.
“After prayer and careful consideration, I have decided to run for state Senate,” Keown said.
Senate District 11 includes the counties of Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole and Thomas.
Keown has appeared on the ballot or served in elected office in seven of the eight counties and carried the counties with 62 percent of the vote during his 2010 bid for Congress.
A special election has been called for Tuesday, Jan. 8, one week prior to the start of the 2013 legislative session.
Commenting on the surprise Thursday announcement by Bulloch, Keown said, “John is a good friend and to be running for the seat that was held by him is an honor. My priority will be to maintain the commitment he had to serve the people of South Georgia and to always do what was right.
“The six years I spent in the Georgia House have provided me with the knowledge and relationships to continue the tradition of effective representation from day one.”
Keown ran for Congress in Georgia’s Second Congressional District in 2010. His campaign was the closest anyone has ever come to unseating the 20-year incumbent Democrat, Sanford Bishop.
Keown said his campaign was well-organized across the 11th Senate District.
“Many of my former supporters in this district have already pledged their support for this campaign. We have a strong infrastructure of county chairs, grassroots volunteers and supporters in place who are ready to get to work,” said Keown.
Keown said he plans to qualify Monday morning at the State Capitol to run in the special election.
Keown served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010. He previously served as mayor of Coolidge.
Keown is pastor of Coolidge Baptist Church.
He and his wife, Kathy, have been married 40 years. They have two children, Michael Jr. and Matthew, and four grandchildren.
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Mike Keown. Thomasville Times-Enterprise
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Mike Keown to seek John Bulloch's seat
Former Coolidge mayor, state rep. plans to qualify Monday
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