District 5 Commissioner Levie Maddox announced Friday that he will be running for Newton County Chair.

Maddox, who has been mulling his decision throughout recent months, said he made a pledge to continue to put the community above self, as he promised to do in his 2012 campaign for board of commissioners (BOC) member.

“Over the last three years, I have proven to be a consensus-building leader with strong integrity, high energy and a rational approach throughout my term as the District 5 Commissioner,” Maddox said. “Despite the seriously challenging transitions in 2015, I provided the patience and rational leadership to move the county forward. “

Over the last four years, Maddox said, the BOC has engaged citizens toward solutions in management of the county’s solid waste, form of government, purchasing policy and cost controls in several areas.

“With those accomplishments and that experience, I have the intimate knowledge and the key relationships necessary to address the challenges as we move forward,” Maddox said.

Maddox said he will look to strengthen relationships with Newton County’s cities, the Water and Sewerage Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education and citizens through transparency. He also will look to protect the eastern side of the county from unwanted sprawl, while working to encourage prosperity on the western side.

Maddox has spent 18 years in manufacturing management and six years in local business management.

He has been married to Tara Maddox for almost 20 years. The couple have four children and attend Eastridge Community Church. Tara Maddox left teaching in the Newton School System to be an active, full-time mother.

“I humbly ask for your confidence in moving our county forward,” Maddox said. “Let’s work together to make our county a beacon of prosperity, with a great quality of life.”