Rockdale resident Pam Dickerson announced she is running for the democratic ticket for the District 95 state representative seat, which includes portions of Rockdale and Newton counties.

Dickerson, a longtime flight attendant/in-flight coordinator with Delta and resident of Rockdale County for the past 12 years, said although this is her first time running for elected office, she has worked in the background on campaigns for years.

"I feel like right now the needs of the people of this district deserve to have better representation. I have been behind the scenes and I feel like I want to come forward now."

Her top priorities would be education, home valuation and public safety, she said.

"In talking with people and reading and being out in the neighborhoods, I feel the people in district 95 are concerned about (these issues)," she said. "My issues are the people's issues."

Dickerson, 57, a New Orleans native, graduated from Southern University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She is currently a member of the Leadership Rockdale class, the Rockdale Rotary club, vice president of the Brentwood Homeowner's Association, vice president in the National Coaltion for the 100 Black Women organization and a former board member of the Rockdale chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Newton County Sheriff's Office investigator Andrea "Andre" Cooper has also thrown in his hat for the District 95 race.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Toney Collins, who said he is running again.

For more, check back to www.rockdalenews.com later in the day.