A Special Message from Senator Bill Stephens
 

I started this email newsletter over two years ago. At that time, I was serving as the first Senate Republican Administration Floor Leader in 134 years. The newsletter has been my effort to spread news and information about our state government.

I have always been hesitant to use the email for personal announcements. However, I have made an important decision that I wanted you to know about. I am going to be a candidate for Secretary of State next year. A more formal announcement will be made in the next few days.

I do not enter this race without considerable prayerful thought and the support of friends and family. Already I have talked to hundreds of friends, colleagues and citizens who have pledged their support.

After all these conversations, I've come to one conclusion: We need strong, experienced leadership in the Office of Secretary of State.

As your first Republican Secretary of State, I will bring fairness and accountability to the administration of elections in Georgia. I will use the resources of the office to help protect older Georgians from fraud and make the Office more accountable than ever for every business, charity and community in our state.

I also believe that the Office of Secretary of State should play a critical role in promoting a fair, prosperous business environment for further job creation statewide.

As a result of redistricting that occurred, I have had the honor of serving 13 different counties in 3 different districts over the 7 years of my service in the Senate. In addition, my colleagues have honored me with their trust and confidence; first as Chairman of the Senate Caucus, then as Governor Perdue’s Floor Leader and twice as their elected Senate Majority Leader.

In the next few days, I will be sending you additional information about a more formal announcement.

In the meantime, we will continue to focus on the business of the Senate, and hope you will, as always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions.

Thank you for your time.

God Bless you and God Bless the great State of Georgia.

Bill Stephens