Brian Kemp issues call for special election in Georgia District 120

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp issued a call for special election today to fill the seat in the state House of Representatives District 120.  The House Ways and Means Chairman Mickey Channell (R), who currently represents district 120, is retiring on January 15, 2015 after 22 years in the state legislature due to health problems.

The special election will take place on Jan. 6, 2015, and if necessary the runoff will be on Feb. 3, 2015.  Qualifying to run in the election will be from Monday Dec. 8, 2014 through Wednesday Dec. 10, 2014. Those who would like to vote in the election and have not yet registered will need to do so before 5 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2014. Click here for more detailed information.

District 120 covers counties:  Greene, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, and Wilkes.  Channell, a powerful and well-known Republican in Georgia politics, didn't specify why he was leaving. He's served his native Greene County for several decades as the Greene County commissioner and on the Greene County Board of Education, among others, before the General Assembly.

"This decision was not taken lightly, but one that was decided on due to health issues, Channell said in a press release last Friday. ”I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of my district and for the trust they have put in me to represent them over the years. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be your representative. I am sincerely grateful to my family, friends, and supporters that have encouraged and allowed me to do something that I love for the last 42 years.

”I am also thankful for my colleagues and staff that have worked alongside me to accomplish great things for the people of Georgia. I have been truly blessed."