Democrat Nancy Schulz announced that she will run for re-election as a Newton County District Commissioner.

Schulz, who qualified last week, has represented District 3 since first elected in 2008 and has been a strong advocate for adopting and enacting a purchasing policy for the county. In an email press release, she said, “It is with the encouragement of the citizens of Newton County demanding continued accountability and transparency in our local government, that I am seeking re-election as Commissioner, District 3.

“I have consistently worked hard and communicated publicly (and on the record) that we must be accountable and transparent, which unfortunately has been met with opposition” she said. “Citizens do need to be aware, more issues may be coming to light and this is a good thing. In order to fix problems, you have to understand what they are -- and it appears we are still in the discovery stage.”

The current state of Newton County government, she said, “both saddens and gives hope that Newton County can continue to identify, correct and learn from mistakes to reach the promising future we deserve —- a fiscally healthy and vibrant county that everyone is proud to call home.”

In the last year, the Board of Commissioners voted to remove W. T. “Tommy” Craig as county attorney and appointed a Cummings-area law firm Jarrard and Davis as interim county attorney. The board also voted to hire an in-house county attorney and a full-time county manager. Legislation that would change the county’s charter, transferring administrative and operational responsibilities to the manager and the chair the political face of the county was also drafted and submitted to the legislative delegation. It is currently working its way through the General Assembly.

“Action speaks a lot louder than words,” Schulz said. “And I will continue to act with integrity and as a public servant despite personal attacks and bullish behavior from those who are trying to suppress transparency and ethical government. This is not a partisan issue — this issue spans both parties.”

Schulz has completed certifications and a Silver Standard of Excellence certification for advanced continuing education from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the Cal Vinson Institute of Government.

She was appointed the BOC’s representative on the Newton County’s Solid Waste Authority and serves on the worker’s compensation for ACCG.

A licensed nurse practitioner, she holds a masters from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a bachelor’s from the University of Tennessee. She and her husband, Dick, are the owners of The Oaks golf course in Porterdale. They are the parents of two adult children, Richard, a director and editor living in Los Angeles, California; and Alexandria, a consultant in global marketing and knowledge management, living in Washington, D.C.

Schulz is a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Covington.