The following is a news release.

Coolidge, GA., December 7, 2012 – With the resignation of Senator John Bulloch, former Republican Congressional Candidate and State Representative Mike Keown announced his campaign for State Senate.

“After prayer and careful consideration, I have decided to run for State Senate,” Mike said.

Senate District 11 includes the counties of Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole and Thomas. Keown has appeared on the ballot or served in elected office in 7 of these 8 counties and carried these counties with 62% of the vote during his 2010 bid for Congress.

A special election has been called for Tuesday, January 8th, one week prior to the start of the 2013 Legislative Session.

Commenting on the surprise announcement from Senator Bulloch, Mike said “John is a good friend and to be running for the seat that was held by him is an honor. My priority will be to maintain the commitment he had to serve the people of South Georgia and to always do what was right. The six years I spent in the Georgia House have provided me with the knowledge and relationships to continue the tradition of effective representation from day one.”

Mike ran for Congress in Georgia’s 2nd congressional district in 2010. His campaign was the closest anyone has ever come to unseating the 20 year incumbent Democrat, Sanford Bishop. Mike’s campaign was very well organized across the 11th Senate District.

“Many of my former supporters in this District have already pledged their support for this campaign. We have a strong infrastructure of County Chairs, grassroots volunteers and supporters in place who are ready to get to work,” said Mike.

Mike will qualify to run in the special election Monday morning, December 10th at the State Capitol.

Mike Keown is a former Republican Candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 2 nd Congressional District. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2005 – 2010. Prior to that Mike served as Mayor of Coolidge, GA. Mike is currently the Pastor of Coolidge Baptist church and is married to his wife Kathy of 40 years. They have two children, Michael Jr. and Matthew, and four lovely grandchildren.