Banks running for state House

GAINESVILLE - Former Hall County Commissioner Bobby Banks plans to run for the state House seat being vacated by James Mills.

Mills will resign the post Oct. 1 to take a seat on the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. The special non-partisan election to fill the position, which Mills has held for nearly 20 years, will be held Nov. 8.

Banks announced his plans to run for the seat on Facebook Saturday and confirmed them to AccessNorthGa.com Saturday night. "After talking with Connie (his wife) and a host of close friends, I am announcing my run for the State House District 25 to replace the honorable James Mills," he told his followers on Facebook.

Banks told AccessNorthGa.com "It was an honor to serve the citizens of South Hall for four years on the Hall County Commission. When elected (to the state House), I look forward to taking the needs and concerns (of the area) to the state level. As a business owner, I have the time to devote to this most important position."

Banks added "I am committed to work as hard if not harder than Mr. Mills, concerning water and transportation, and any other needs of Hall County. The most important (thing) will be maintaining the water levels of Lake Lanier."

Banks, who was elected to the county commission in 2006, was defeated in a Republican Primary runoff with Craig Lutz last year. Lutz went on to win the seat in the General Election and is in his first year on the county commission.

Banks was kicked out of the Hall County Republican Party earlier this year for what the party's executive committee says was conduct "unbecoming a member of the party." (See earlier story.)