NEWS RELEASE: Tom Graves Files Papers With The Federal Election Commission

5.21.2009 (Atlanta, GA) - State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger) took another step forward today in organizing a campaign for Congress by submitting papers with the Federal Election Commission.  Graves filed his Statement of Candidacy for the 9th Congressional District seat being vacated by Congressman Nathan Deal, who is running for Governor.

Graves has spent the past few weeks speaking with voters throughout the 9th District about their expectation and vision of the next congressional leader from North Georgia.  The conservative small businessman is humbled by the encouragement and support his potential campaign for Congress has received and will continue his listening tour across North Georgia in the coming weeks.

A more formal and official announcement launching the campaign will be made at a later date.

Graves authored the JOBS bill during the recent legislative session which provided state tax cuts, eliminations and credits to Georgia businesses that created jobs for out of work Georgians.  The State House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the JOBS bill, but unfortunately Governor Sonny Perdue vetoed the legislation last week.  Graves said he will work hard this summer and fall to craft another job creation package for next session with a focus on creating, expanding and attracting jobs for Georgians.

Graves, who is in his fourth term representing House District 12, was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002.  He has chaired numerous subcommittees, served in several leadership positions and been recognized statewide as a conservative leader.  He received the “Legislative Entrepreneur of the Year Award” by the Freedom Works Foundation for his tireless effort to stem the tide of expansive government and reduce the tax burden on Georgians, the “Champion of Georgia Cities” award by the Georgia Municipal Association and most recently honored as the “2009 Legislator of the Year” from the 9th Congressional District of Georgia.

Graves grew up in White, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance.  Graves is a small businessman, past member of the Gordon County Board of Elections and an active member of the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce.  He is married to Julie, a native of Marietta, and the couple has three children, JoAnn, J.T., and Janey. They attend the Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun.

Georgia’s 9th Congressional District is comprised of fifteen north Georgia counties including all of Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield and portions of Forsyth and Gordon counties.