State Senator from District 49, Shelly Echols, announced Friday that she will not seek a second term in the General Assembly. Her husband, Drew Echols, co-owner of Jaemor Farms, has qualified to replace her in that seat.
Senate District 49 is comprised primarily of Hall County.
Shelly announced the move in a press release, describing her time serving the constituents of District 49 as “a true honor.”
“Drew and I are blessed to have two children, Chloe, and Cohen,” Shelly said. “While Chloe is off at college, Cohen is a high schooler with Down Syndrome and still at home; and although I feel called to public service, I have realized over the past two years that my highest calling is being a mother to two of the most important people in my life. For the past sixteen years my duty as a mom has been to provide the structure Cohen needs to live a successful and productive life. I am looking forward to having more time available to spend with my children and family once I fulfill my term in the Senate. Drew has done a phenomenal job maintaining the structure in our home in my absence, but it is time for me to let someone else take the reins in Senate District 49 so that I can be home and focus on being a mom.”
Drew said in a separate press release that public service has always been a priority for his family.
“Shelly’s service as a county commissioner and state senator is something that we are proud of,” Drew said. “I hope to continue what she has started as she has made the decision to step away and focus on our son. Cohen needs his mom, and as hard as I have tried, those are shoes that I can’t fill. We are a family that works together and serves together.” Echols said. “I hope to win the support of this community and have the honor of continuing an outstanding legacy of service to the constituents of Hall County.”
Drew grew up on a farm in East Hall and co-owns Jaemor Farms with his father and uncle. A release said Jaemor Farms was established on family values and hard work that have been passed down for six generations in the Echols family.
“Jaemor Farms has grown from a small orchard serving the community to a diversified multi-crop farm with an agritourism component that welcomes over one million visitors annually,” the release said.
Drew is active outside the farm in a variety of different organizations, including the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, Hall County Farm Bureau, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Peach Foundation for Public Education and more.
Drew has received several awards and acknowledgments throughout his career, including the Junior Achievement of Northeast Georgia Rising Star Award, the Riverside Military Academy Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Award, and more.
Shelly will serve out the remainder of her term and said she will support Drew’s campaign in the 2024 elections. She was elected to the seat in November 2022 after previously serving as a Hall County Commissioner.
Drew will see opposition in the May 21 General Primary from Republican Josh Clark, who also qualified Friday for the seat. Clark previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives and is the brother of Georgia House District 100 Representative David Clark.
