David Shafer, the former executive director of the state GOP,
has declared his candidacy for the state Senate's new 48th
District seat.
But he'll run in the current 48th if that seat opens up. That
would happen if widespread speculation proves true and Gov. Roy
Barnes appoints Sen. Billy Ray (R-Lawrenceville) to a Superior
Court judgeship.
Shafer, 36, owns a corporate public-relations firm and lives in
Duluth. He has been active in politics for years and has raised
more than $60,000 for this campaign.
Last year, he lost to Ralph Reed in the race for state GOP
chairman. In 1996, Shafer was the Republican nominee for secretary
of state. And in the early 1990s, he served as executive director
of the state party for three years.
Shafer said he's running out of concern for quality-of-life
issues.
"The government needs to be more responsive to family and
community in its decision-making," he said. "Traffic congestion
takes mothers and fathers away from their children. School
overcrowding deprives our children of the best possible
education."
He also wants to see Gwinnett keep more of its tax dollars.
Now, counties send a quarter-mill in property tax revenue to the
state. Shafer believes that money should stay in the counties and
be allocated for green space acquisition.
The new 48th encompasses parts of Gwinnett and Forsyth
counties. Although no other candidates have formally announced,
Gwinnett GOP chairwoman Sunny Warren has said she's considering a
run for the seat.
There could be a special election a lot sooner than November
for the current 48th District. It could take place in February, if
the judicial appointment comes through for Ray.
The winner of a special election would serve until year's end,
the remainder of Ray's term.
If Ray isn't appointed, he can't seek re-election in the 48th.
That's because reapportionment placed his home in the new 45th
District.
