Bill Carruth announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for State Senate District 31 earlier this week.

“I have carefully considered this decision with input from my wife, Laura and our three daughters. 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.”, said Carruth.

Carruth is no stranger to elected offices. He served from 1991-1996 as a Post Commissioner in Paulding County and was elected to serve as the first Republican Chairman of the Board of Commissioners from 1997-2000.

He is credited with many of the infrastructure improvements that occurred in Paulding County in the late 90’s and the re-organization 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 Governor Sonny Perdue to the Board of the Directors of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He is still a member of the Board having 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 West

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 number one 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 the 31st Senate District.

“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.”

Bill and Laura, his wife of 27 years, are both lifelong Paulding County residents with deep roots in all three counties that make up the 31st Senate District. They have three daughters (Kristen, Kate and Karoline) and are members of the Dallas First United Methodist Church. “Having lived my entire life in a neighboring

county, I’m aware of the issues facing the people of Polk County and believe that some opportunities have been missed. I’ll fight to make sure that we don’t continue to lose out on opportunities and I’ll make the entire

Senate District my priority.”

Carruth says that he is seeking office because the 31st District 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.”