Kathleen businessman joins state Senate race

Houston County business owner and property investor James Pettis says he will run in an upcoming special election for the state Senate.

"I am frustrated with the negative impacts that too much government involvement has created and the direction politicians are taking," Pettis said in a written statement announcing his candidacy for the state Senate District 20 seat.

Pettis said he began his professional life as a teacher at Perdue Elementary School before starting his own business. He and his family live in Kathleen.

He is the sixth person so far to join the race. All, including Pettis, are Republicans.

The winner of the race will serve for roughly one year, finishing the term of state Sen. Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, who is retiring due to an early onset Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.

State Senate District 20 covers all of Bleckley, Laurens and Pulaski counties, plus most of Houston County.

The state will soon set the qualifying deadline and special election date.

The other candidates so far are Houston County residents Vivian Childs, Brooks Keisler, Michael Reece and Larry Walker III as well as Laurens County's Jon Martin.

To contact writer Maggie Lee, e-mail mlee@macon.com.

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Kathleen businessman joins state Senate race ."