(UPDATE: 12/8/2012)
THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL)--Two south Georgians hope to fill a seat in the Georgia Senate.
Former republican congressional candidate and state representative Mike Keown says Monday he's qualifying to run in a special election for senate district 11. According to the Bainbridge Post Searchlight Dr. Dean Burke, who has a medical practice in Bainbridge and is a city council member is announcing his candidacy.
This after republican Senator John Bulloch submitted his resignation to Governor Nathan Deal on Thursday. Bulloch was elected in 2002. It's unclear why he resigned.
Bulloch was hospitalized back in October for meningitis.
Senate District 11 includes Decatur, Miller, Seminole, Grady, Colquitt and parts of Thomas counties. The special election is January 8.
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) - The Georgia Senate is losing its second veteran lawmaker in as many days.
State officials confirmed that Republican Sen. John Bulloch from Ochlocknee in south Georgia submitted his resignation to Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday.
Bulloch served as chairman of the Senate committee that handles agricultural policy. He is perhaps best known for sponsoring legislation that allowed Georgians to vote locally on whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales.
Bulloch represented Georgia's 11th Senate District which includes Decatur, Miller, Seminole, Grady, Colquitt, and portions of Thomas counties.
Bulloch's reason for stepping down was not immediately clear. Several news outlets have reported that he has had health problems recently and was hospitalized in October for meningitis.
A special election is scheduled Jan. 8, the same day as a special election for the metro Atlanta seat vacated this week by Republican Chip Rogers.
Bulloch was elected in 2002 after four years in the House.
