Businessman Charlie Chase announced Tuesday plans to run in the special election for the Barrow County-based Georgia House District 119 after the resignation of Representative-elect Danny Rampey.
Chase is one of six Republicans who qualified to run in the Jan. 31 special election. One Democrat also qualified for the race. He previously ran unsuccessfully for State Senate District 47 in the May 2022 Republican primary.
A press release from Chase's campaign said his platform includes making sure the Georgia public education system focuses on preparing young people for the workplace and "less on social issues better left to parents." Additionally, he said he wants to reduce crime and put taxpayers' needs ahead of politics.
Chase is a licensed, professional contractor who has owned and managed properties in North Georgia for more than 30 years. He also owns All American Bail Bonds, LLC in Winder and Square Investigations, a private investigation business.
"Chase’s community service includes membership in the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce and the Barrow County Republican Party," the release reads. "He is a Master Mason, Rockwell Lodge 191, in Hoschton and a member of the Georgia Association of Professional Bondsmen. He is the Vice President of the National Association of Bail Agents and served as a Director at Large for the Professional Bail Agents of the United States."
He also served in the Georgia Army National Guard for six years, where he was the 48th Infantry Brigade soldier of the year in 1986.
Advance in-person and absentee voting beings on Jan. 9. Voters can cast their ballots early at the Barrow County Election Office at 233 E. Broad Street, Winder, or at the Jackson County Election Office at 441 Gordon St. in Jefferson.
Other Republican candidates who qualified include Joseph Grodzicki, Renee Lord, Holt Persinger, Joe Price and Bill Ritter. Shelbey Diamond Alexander, a Democrat, also qualified.
