Special Election Called
State Rep. Greg Morris of Vidalia submitted a letter of resignation from his seat in the House of Representatives to the Secretary of State’s Office April 13, following his election to the State Board of Transportation.
Members of the General Assembly who represent counties in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District elected Morris to represent the 12th District on the Board of Transportation March 24. Morris completed his term as representative of District 156 in the State House of Representatives and, with his resignation, he begins serving on the State Board of Transportation.
Governor Brian Kemp has called for a special election to fill Morris’ House seat to be held June 15 in parts of Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Toombs and Appling counties that make up Georgia House District 156. A run-off, if needed, will he held July 13.
Qualifying for the special election will be held at the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office in Atlanta Atlanta. Qualifying dates are May 5 (today) from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., May 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and May 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The qualifying fee is $400.
The last day to register to vote in the special election for persons not already registered is May 17. Early voting begins May 24.
Morris was elected to his 11th term in the House in 2020. His term ends on the second Monday in January, 2022.
The State Transportation Board is composed of 14 members, one for each Congressional District. The District which Morris represents includes counties in east central and east southern Georgia and is comprised of Jeff Davis, Appling, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Coffee, Columbia, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Jenkins, Laurens, Montgomery, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen and Wheeler counties. It also includes parts of Columbia and Effingham counties.
Morris replaces State Transportation Board Member Don Grantham, who served nine years on the Board. Grantham stepped down after being appointed by Governor Kemp to the board of the Georgia Ports Authority. Morris will serve out the remainder Grantham’s term that expires in 2024.
Morris told The Vidalia Advance of his decision to seek election to the State Transportation Board, “I had served 22 sessions and I knew I was nearing the end of my career on the House but had no scenario I had prepared for leaving suddenly. I intended to fill out this term and possibly one more. It was as sudden for me as anyone else.” He noted, “I would not have left Legislature in the middle of a term for anything other than a seat on the Transportation Board because of its importance in terms of economic development and public safety for the state and our community.”
During his tenure in the state Legislature, which began in 1998, Morris served under five governors, five speakers, three state flags and as a member of two political parties. “It was a consequential time in Georgia’s political history and an indescribable honor to serve,” he said.
