Graham to run for state Senate seat; move to open up Braselton mayor’s slot

Braselton Mayor Pat Graham won’t run for re-election this fall and instead seek the Georgia State Senate seat currently held by Sen. Ralph Hudgens. Hudgens will be running for Georgia Insurance Commissioner, thus opening up the Senate District 47 seat.

Graham, a Republican, said her campaign would be based on “conservative principles.”

"Over the last eight years, we have relied on conservative principles and worked to transform Braselton into a recognized City of Excellence," she said. "We have never raised taxes and yet the city is in solid financial shape. I'll rely on those same conservative principles and management experience to help prevent any tax increase and make state government more efficient."

Graham has had a high-profile in the state while serving as Braselton’s mayor and was profiled in a Georgia Trend magazine cover story this year.

She serves on the State Water Council as a member of the Upper Oconee Board. Her peers across Georgia have recognized her by electing her to the Board of Directors of the Georgia Municipal Association and she also serves as Chair of the Municipal Government Legislative Policy Committee for GMA.

Graham also represents the cities of Barrow County on the Board of the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center and she serves on the Boards of Directors for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce.

Elections for Braselton mayor will be in November and Graham said she’s making her announcement now so that others can consider the open mayor’s seat. In the last election, Graham was re-elected with over 70 percent of the vote.

“I chose to make this announcement at this time for dual reasons – to allow residents of Braselton ample time to consider the municipal elections this November and to show citizens of the 47th Senate District my commitment to a positive, issue-focused campaign during the upcoming year,” she said.

District 47 is made up of all of Barrow, Madison and Oglethorpe counties, as well as a large part of Jackson County and smaller areas of Elbert and Clarke counties.

The Republican Primary for the Senate race will be July 13, 2010.