Douglas announces run for Congress

Former state Senator John Douglas, a Republican, has become the first announced candidate in Georgia’s 10th congressional district, set to be vacated due to Rep. Paul Broun’s decision to run for Senate.

A veteran who served two years in the state House and six in the state Senate, Douglas was most recently elected to the Newton County Board of Commissioners in 2012. He gave up his seat in the General Assembly for a statewide bid for a spot on the Public Service Commission, which ended in a runoff defeat to Tim Echols in 2010.

Prior to his election as a County Commissioner, Douglas was known as one of the earliest advocates for Texas Governor Rick Perry’s entry into the 2012 presidential election, though he switched his support to former Speaker Newt Gingrich in November of 2011.

“A strong combination of Paul Broun and Allen West, a no nonsense conservative ready to take Georgia’s voice to Washington DC,” reads his newly launched Facebook fan page.

The official kickoff is set to be marked by a rally on the steps of the Newton County Courthouse on February 7th.

The domino effect has begun.

-Brandon Howell