Dawson County businessman Chip Pearson is a veteran Republican Party activist.
He is a former chairman of the Dawson
County Republican Party as well a former member of the state GOP's Executive Committee.
Pearson is the founder and President and CEO of Pecos, Inc. and Paramount Grading Co., which, he says, specializes in real estate development, heavy construction and engineering across the Southeast.
John Callaham of White County, who ran against Jackson in 2002, also plans to seek the nomination. Former State Representative Clint Smith of Gainesville announced in January plans to run for the post which is now the newly reapportioned District 51 and includes Dawson, Pickens, Gilmer, Fannin, Union and Lumpkin counties and portions of White and Forsyth. However, Smith said Tuesday because of the redistricting he is no longer eligible to run for that seat and will, instead, run for the post now held by State Representative Carl Rogers of Gainesville, a Democrat.
Jackson has not announced her plans.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/4/160858