Republican Dale Rutledge of McDonough is seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Steve Davis to represent State House District 109.

Rutledge said Rep. Davis' past actions in office are one of the main reasons he is seeking election.

"I am running for the State House 109 seat because the incumbent for eight years has a very clear pattern of behavior of putting his own financial and political interests ahead of the taxpayers he represents," Rutledge said.

The other main reason Rutledge has chosen to run is because the timing is right, he said.

"Providing and caring for my family has been my total focus for 26 years," Rutledge said. "With the total support of my wife and children, I now have the time to dedicate to the campaign and most importantly the time to devote to the taxpayers I will represent. I am driven to run for the State House by the swell of support of friends and business leaders encouraging me over the past three years to seek the position."

For his platform, Rutledge said he will work to reduce government, cut wasteful spending, lower taxes and support the fair tax.

Among his platforms, Rutledge said he will focus heavily on ethics reform and bringing more economic development into the district.

"My focus will be on economic development working with business leaders to develop creative tax and work incentives to bring career opportunities to District 109," Rutledge said. "I will work to reduce any unnecessary and burdensome reporting, filings and regulations to start and help current business owners survive."

"I will promote ethics reform to restore faith among voters," he said. "There are plenty of laws on the books but there are very little teeth in enforcement. We need to change that."

Rutledge, 48, grew up and worked on a family farm in Henry County. After graduating from Henry County High School in 1981, Rutledge attended Georgia Southwestern State University for a time to play baseball.

Through the late 1980s to the late 1990s, Rutledge worked for BAX Global in freight operations, customer service and local sales and worked his way up to director of trade show sales for North America.

In 1999, Rutledge started Expo-Link Cargo Inc. which manages marketing and freight logistics for companies and organization exhibiting or attending trade shows all over the world.

While owning and operating Expo-Link Cargo, Rutledge also started Rover Inc., a solid waste and recycling company in Jan. 2002. He sold the company in 2011 to Waste Industries.

Rutledge said his experience in business would help him in office.

"My experience of starting two successful businesses over the past decade along with my leadership skills, work ethic and Christian values will allow me to make a positive impact in our community at the Capitol," Rutledge said.

Rutledge has been married to his wife Kathy Craig Rutledge for 26 years. They have two children, Caroline Rutledge, 22, and Morgan Rutledge, 19.

The family has attended McDonough Presbyterian Church since 1985, where Rutledge has served as a deacon and elder.

Rutledge has also supported and been involved with the Friends House and the Henry Medical Foundation.

Rutledge is also a member of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Rutledge, visit votedale.com.