Former Paulding County Commission chairman Bill Carruth has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for state Senate District 31 in this year's election.

"I have carefully considered this decision with input from my wife, Laura and our three daughters," Carruth said in a press release.

"We need leadership in the State Legislature and, more importantly, we need effective representation for our area in the Senate. I believe I have the experience necessary to provide this leadership," Carruth said.

Carruth served from 1991 to 1996 on the Paulding County Board of Commissioners and served as the board's first Republican chairman from 1997 to 2000. He is credited with many of the infrastructure improvements that occurred in Paulding County in the late 1990s and the reorganization of county government that enabled the county to absorb the explosive growth it saw after Carruth left office.

"I’m proud of the changes we put in place while I was on the Board of Commissioners and the enhanced services we provided but I’m equally proud of my record of cutting taxes every year I was chairman. I believe we can continue that on a state level by taking a long look at the budget and eliminating wasteful spending."

In 2003, Carruth was appointed by former Gov. Sonny Perdue to the Board of Directors of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He is still a member of the Board and served as its chairman in 2009.

"Serving on the DNR Board is an honor and it has enabled me to meet many leaders in the public and private sector, but it has also allowed our area to be innovative in terms of protecting our natural resources."

While on the Board, and serving as chairman of the Land Acquisition Committee, the state purchased nearly 7,000 acres of land in Paulding and Polk Counties that is permanently protected from development and can be enjoyed for many generations.

Although Carruth does have government experience, he is not a career politician. Instead, he has spent most of his adult life owning and operating businesses.

He was recognized by the Paulding Chamber of Commerce in 2003 as its Business Leader of the Year.

"As a small businessman, I know how to get sest Georgia’s economy growing again. We need to cut taxes and spending as well as reduce excess regulation. As your senator, I will make bringing jobs to Haralson, Polk and Paulding counties my No. 1 priority."

While acknowledging that creating jobs and strengthening the state and local economy is his highest priority, Carruth says there are a number of other issues, notably improving education and expediting the process for obtaining alternate water sources, which he believes are important to the people of District 31.

"I’m a conservative who believes in reducing the size of government and protecting traditional family values. I’ll work hard to defend the Constitutions of the State of Georgia and the United States.”

Carruth and wife Laura, who have been married 27 years, are both lifelong Paulding County residents with deep roots in all three counties that make up the district.

They have three daughters, Kristen, Kate and Karoline, and are members of the Dallas First United Methodist Church.

“Paulding County is home to me and my family, so I’m aware of the issues that we face,” he said.

Carruth said he is seeking office because District 31 has not been effectively represented in the State Senate and that needs to change immediately.

"I’ll bring a new approach to representing our district. Understanding the needs of business as well as understanding the inner workings of government will help me provide effective representation for this district. My style is to be visible and outspoken. I may not be liked by everybody at the Capitol, but I believe I’ll be respected as an effective representative of the people of Haralson, Paulding and Polk counties.”

The District 31 seat currently is held by Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen.