Henry Daily Herald

A veteran lawmaker from Henry County is seeking to retain his seat in the Georgia legislature.

State House Rep. Steve Davis (R-McDonough) recently announced his re-election bid for District 109. He plans to vie for the Republican nomination for the position, in the July 31 primary.

“I have the experience, leadership and results from my eight years in office to show that I am a successful representative,” said Davis. “It has been a great honor to represent this district for the last eight years, and I am glad that I have been able to deliver on the promises of my original campaign.”

Davis is the chairman of the legislature’s Information & Audits Committee, and is chairman of the Appropriations, Insurance, State Planning & Community Affairs, State Institutions & Properties committees. He also oversaw redistricting efforts, in 2011, for Henry County and for the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Davis said he has focused much of his attention, as a lawmaker, on the areas of education, transportation and public safety.

“I think I’ve had quite a bit of success,” said Davis. “We passed eminent domain, [and] we passed college and career readiness. ... We’ve gotten approximately $450 million in transportation projects over the last eight years, which included my original campaign promise from 2004, to widen I-75.”

He said lawmakers have secured $100 million for work on I-75, which is not tied to a transportation referendum, which is set for a vote on July 31.

In recent years, Davis added, he helped Henry County to secure a campus for the Southern Crescent Technical College, and has worked to ensure funds are properly allocated by the legislature in Georgia.

He and his wife Melissa have three children and live in the Kelleytown area of Henry County.

Davis has one announced challenger, businessman Dale Rutledge, of McDonough.