Graves to Resign House Seat Tuesday

(RANGER, GA) – State Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), the leading Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District, released the following statement announcing his resignation from the Georgia House of Representatives Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in order to qualify for the upcoming special election in Georgia’s 9th District:

"Earlier today Governor Perdue set the date for the special election to fill the 9th District Congressional seat on April 27.  I will resign my House seat effective close of business Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in order to fill the unexpired term in the 9th District.  This will enable the Governor to schedule both the election to fill my House seat and the 9th District congressional seat on the same day and save taxpayer money.  

“While qualifying for the congressional seat alone would have vacated my house seat, the timing would have been outside the window of opportunity to allow both elections to occur on the same date.  Therefore, as a steward of the taxpayer, the prudent decision is to step down early and allow the Governor to set the special elections on the same day.

“Julie and I have been humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to serve Gordon, Pickens and Bartow counties in the legislature.  And, for that, we are forever grateful.  

“I am pleased with the Governor’s selection of the earliest possible election date.  My family and I look forward to the campaign and the opportunity to serve the people of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District.”

Qualifying for the congressional seat will take place March 29-31.  Per state law, Graves would have automatically vacated his House seat upon qualifying.  Resigning early allows the special elections for the Graves’ House seat and the 9th District Congressional seat to take place on the same day.