State Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee) has resigned from the Georgia General Assembly, and a special election will be held in January to fill the seat, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced today.

The reason for Bulloch’s resignation was not immediately known.

Bulloch represents Senate District 11, which includes Decatur County as well as Miller, Seminole, Grady and Colquitt counties and part of Thomasville.
Bulloch was hospitalized for meningitis in October.

“It has been an honor to serve District 11 as a Georgia State Senator since 2003,” Bulloch said, in a statement. “I’d like to thank all of my constituents, colleagues and staff for their support during my years at the Gold Dome. However, no one deserves more appreciation and recognition than my wife and family.

“Their unconditional love and encouragement was a constant reminder of the reason why I ran for this office — because I wanted to create a better and brighter future for this state.

“Very few farmers get chances like this, and I am grateful for the opportunity to play a pivotal role in strengthening Georgia’s ag industry.
“I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and sharing the wealth of fond memories and life lessons collected during my time in the Georgia Senate.”

According to a press release from Kemp’s office, a special election has been set for Jan. 8, 2013, to fill the vacancy. A run-off election, if required, will be held Feb. 5, 2013.

All persons who are not registered to vote and who wish to vote in the special election must register before the close of business, Friday, Dec. 14. Polls will be open Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Qualifying for the special election shall be held in the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 802 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta GA 30334. The dates and hours of qualifying will be Monday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon. The qualifying fee is $400.

Bulloch had served as the chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee, and as vice chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment committee. He was also a member of the Appropriations and Banking and Financial Institutions committees.

In a statement, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said that Bulloch was “a great example of what every public servant should strive to be.”

“His passion for agriculture, our state’s No. 1 industry, was unyielding,” Cagle said. “He worked tirelessly for his entire career in public service and he never forgot that service wasn’t about him, but about those who had trusted him to be their voice in government.

“The Georgia State Senate will not be the same without him and all of us will miss his fighting spirit.”