Jim Whitehead to run for Norwood's U.S. House seat

Republican State Senator Jim Whitehead announced early this week that he will run for the open 10th Congressional District seat vacated by the passing of Representative Charlie Norwood.

While the special election to fill Norwood's seat is officially nonpartisan, Whitehead said he will run and serve as a Republican. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue will set the special election before Friday.

"These have been difficult days as we have said goodbye to a dear friend and trusted leader," Whitehead said of Norwood's passing. "My prayers are for Gloria and the Norwood family during this time. But it is my deep respect and close friendship with Charlie that compels this announcement today," he added.

"I am running to continue the legacy of conservative leadership offered by my good friend, Charlie Norwood. The issues of the day - stopping illegal immigration, stopping wasteful spending to provide some real tax relief to Georgians, and supporting quality educational opportunities - are vital to our children and grandchildren's futures. With the support of the voters, I will continue to provide the same bold conservative leadership offered by Charlie Norwood for so many years."

Whitehead currently serves as state senator for the 24th Georgia Senate District, which is comprised of Columbia, Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, Wilkes, and parts of Elbert and Warren counties. In the Senate, he is chairman of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, vice chairman of the Transportation Committee and a member of the State and Local Government Operations, Economic Development, Natural Resources and the Environment Committees.

Born in 1942 in Augusta, Georgia, Whitehead attended schools in Richmond County and graduated from Richmond Academy in 1960. He then spent four years in Athens where he attended the University of Georgia and lettered in football and track.

Whitehead has lived in the Augusta area all his life and in Columbia County since 1964. He has been married his wife Peggy since 1964 and they have three children: Jim Jr., Beth, and Bo. They have two daughters in-law, Bridget and Kelli. Whitehead is the owner of a successful business, Jim Whitehead Tire & Auto, that opened in Augusta in 1985 and a new Evans location opened in 2003.

Whitehead served as a Columbia County Commissioner from 1995 to 2002 and was Chairman of the Commission for two and a half years. He is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the Augusta Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a member of the Sister City (Nowy Sacz, Poland) Advisory Board of Columbia County. He is on the Advisory Board of Directors of First Bank and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Doctors Hospital. Whitehead is a past member of Metro Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the CSRA Regional Development Council. He was a trustee for the State of Georgia ACCG Irma Board for six years. He is member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and is active in numerous other community and civic affairs.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
The Office Cat	2
Neighborhood vandalism is out of control	1
The Office Cat	1
Drug problem growing; little is being done	1
The Office Cat	1
Family escapes death in semi hit-and-run	1
Feed a family of four for $10 a week	1