Republican Bob Snelling announced Monday that he will be a candidate for State Representative House District 66 to represent Douglas County and portions of Paulding County in the legislature.

Snelling represented Douglas County from 1995 until 2003 as a State Representative. He chose not to run for re-election when the Democratic
majority realigned him and Rep. Bill Hembree into the same district.

"Bill Hembree is my friend, and Douglas County is very well served by him. Out of loyalty and friendship to Bill I chose to not run for re-election in
2002," Snelling stated in an email. "But my passion for public service and my conservative principles are as strong as ever.

"I'm running because we need more proven conservatives to step forward and lead Georgia," he continued. "Our state legislature needs to start acting once again like the mature, honest institution that Georgians have the right to expect."

Snelling has been married to his wife, Paula, for 46 years. The Snellings have lived in Douglas County for more than 30 years and today are homeowners in Arbor Station. They have three grown children. Bob has been an Elder since 1976 in First Presbyterian Church in Douglasville. He is a flight instructor and a retired pilot.

Snelling graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy. He earned his pilot wings from the Navy Flight School and volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War for the US Navy. He was eventually promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.

Snelling served for 10 years as the chairman of the Community Character Coalition of Douglas County. He also chaired the Leadership Douglas board of directors during a critical transition time.

He was recognized as the National Republican Legislator of the Year in 1999 and chosen as the 2005 Citizen of the Year by the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce.