A Blairsville man has announced his candidacy for the State Senate District 51 seat.
Gary St. Lawrence is running as a Democrat for the seat, which is soon to be left vacant by current State Senator Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega.) Gooch recently announced his intention to run for Georgia Lieutenant Governor.
St. Lawrence, age 61, is a U.S. Army Veteran, an IT professional and a journalist. His campaign website describes him as a "fiscal conservative and social liberal."
"I believe that Veterans have earned all their benefits and more; that complete healthcare is a basic human need; that the government we fund should serve us and provide the services that keep us healthy, comfortable and thriving," St. Lawrence's website says. "I believe that everyone in the richest country in the world should never starve, live in poverty, nor fear their elected officials."
St. Lawrence is the first person to publicly announce his candidacy for the seat. State Senate District 51 represents an area including Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Pickens counties, as well as the western portion of White County.
The election for the seat will be in the November 2026 midterms.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/5/1291220/blairsville-democrat-to-seek-district-51-state-senate-seat