COVINGTON, Ga. - District 1 Commissioner Stan Edwards officially announced his re-election campaign for the 2020 election earlier this week. If elected, this would be his second term as a commissioner. 

"My family, friends, and citizen-advisors have been very supportive during my first term and very much a part of any successes we have enjoyed as a community," he said. "The positive feedback I’ve received from District 1 citizens since coming into office has been absolute and overwhelming. For that, I am truly humbled."

Edwards said he is seeking reelection because he does not feel like his job is done. 

"I am very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish since January of 2017 but I feel there is work to be done so that the county, and District 1 in particular, can be a place that residents and businesses alike are proud to call home," he said. "I’ve lived in Newton County’s District 1 all my life so it’s hard to imagine turning its care over to anyone with a less-vested interest and emotional attachment than myself. I have enjoyed working with the citizens at a personal level and for the citizens at a government level."

Edwards plans to use the experience gained in his first term as a commissioner to continue to grow in his second term.

"During the last two-plus years the commissioners have had to make very difficult decisions, sometimes on issues involving circumstances created many years before," he said. "I feel I’ve been a driver of change in the budget process in shifting the culture to a more fiscally reserved approach. I have proposed three alternative budgets over the last two budget seasons and I sought out ways last fiscal year to freeze the millage rate for fiscal year 2019. 

"In 2017 and 2018 I was able to broker a deal between the county and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the state to take over management of the former 'reservoir' property so the property could be preserved (rather than sold for development) for any future water needs the county may have. At no cost to the county, the state manages the forestry, wildlife and policing of the almost 2,200 acres.

"Currently, I am championing on behalf of the county a high-speed internet solution for underserved portions of rural Newton County. Hopefully, this solution will serve to connect our businesses, students, and retail shoppers in ways that are not possible today."

Edwards said he will continue to fight for the residents of Newton County. 

"Let me close by stating this, I campaigned three years ago on governing with common sense, logic, a sense of right and wrong, and my own critical-thinking model all backed by Christian principles," he said. "I pride myself on trying to adhere to these points in every vote I take at the BOC. With that, I hope that I can continue to serve the good citizens of District 1 and Newton County."