Politics & Government
Oconee Commission Chairman Davis Decides Against State House Run
Other potential candidates consider whether to try for the seat vacated by incoming University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby.
As the special election to replace state in State House District 113 looms, a handful of names have surfaced as potential candidates.
While former President Chuck Williams has announced his candidacy and Oglethorpe County GOP Chairman Kirk Shook is considering another run after his 2010 loss to Huckaby for the same seat, has taken himself out of the race.
"I've given it significant consideration," he said Tuesaday. "I've made a decision not to seek that seat at this point."
Davis, who was recently re-elected, said many of his supporters had encouraged him to run, but he ultimately felt he could do more good in his current position.
Davis said he was the sort to see things through to the end, and that includes his current position as chairman. Davis also talked to the Athens Banner-Herald about his swearing in this week as president of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia.
However, Davis did not rule out running for another elective office in the future.
Shook has not taken himself out of the race, but he is still uncertain he will be a part of it.
Shook, who has unsuccessfully run for the state House in the past, said he is still weighing his options. He said he still has many of the resources accrued during his 2010 run, but the short turnaround on the election wold make it a difficult race.
That he will be married on June 11 is another factor worth considering.
"It's a different race than it was before," he said.
Shook said that even if he were to put his personal life on hold, the brief window of time before the election on June 21 would leave him with very little time to concoct the kind of campaign he would want.
Shook said he wasn't sure whom he would support if he opted not to put himself forward.
Davis had kinds words for Williams, praising him as an active member of the community who has worked with the likes of the American Red Cross and , a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with developmental disabilities.
However, Davis also said it was too soon to say whether he would support Williams or any other candidate.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp's office that candidate qualification will begin on May 16 and end on May 18.