UNION COUNTY, Ga – Now that Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) has announced his intentions to run for Senate, who will take the plunge and enter the race for Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District (GA-9)?

Fetch Your News has spoken to several potential candidates, including former GA-10 District Representative Paul Broun, media personality Martha Zoller, Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jeff Langley (R-Ga.), and District 9 State Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Ga.).

Broun and Zoller have indicated their answers will come later in the week.

When speaking with Langley, he told Fetch Your News, “It’s an intriguing idea, a number of individuals have mentioned to me, but quite frankly, I love the job that I do as district attorney right now, and I work very hard at that. I love the staff that I work with, so it is an intriguing possibility, but it’s nothing that I’ve made any kind of decision on at this point.”

Langley’s response indicates that he’s leaving the door open, at this time, for a potential run like many others currently weighing their options. He became district attorney for Lumpkin, Union, Towns, and White in 2011. Before then, he served as Assistant DA for 12 years and as Chief Assistant DA for nine years.

Speculation continues to swirl around Georgia State District 8 Representative Matt Gurtler (R-Ga.), who is reportedly considering entering the GA-9 race or the state senate race for Senator John Wilkinson’s seat.

On Wednesday, Gurtler told Fetch Your News, “I am weighing my options right now. Talking with my family and praying about it.”

One individual not running is Gurtler’s current District 8 opponent, Judge Stan Gunter. However, he currently expects Gurtler to stay in the race, “anticipating [Gurtler] to qualify for [District 8] and be in the race in March.”

A state representative that has responded is Tanner. He told Fetch Your News Tuesday, “I am giving it serious consideration, and I will make a decision in the next few days.” To see the full article, follow this link.

Anyone considering entering the congressional race needs to make their decision soon. Qualifying for the race begins in March, and the Republican Primary will be on May 19th.The Ninth Congressional District includes all of Banks, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White and parts of Clarke, Forsyth and Pickens counties.

Who’s In?

State Senator John Wilkinson from District 50 announced this morning that he intends to run for the Ninth District Congressional seat.

“This is a critical time for our country, and we need an experienced, conservative voice willing to stand up for the values that residents of North Georgia hold dear,” said Wilkinson. “For the past eight years in Atlanta, I have fought to eliminate useless red tape and regulation of business, defended the sanctity of all life, and fought for our constitutional rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment. I look forward to continuing that fight in Washington.”

Senator Wilkinson, who was elected to the State Senate in a special election in 2011 and has been re-elected to 4 additional terms. He’s the current Chair of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, Vice Chair of the Education and Youth Committee, and member of the Natural Resources and the Environment, Appropriations and Rules Committees. He has served as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus for the past six years.

Additionally, three Democrats are already in the race: Antwon Stephens, Devin Pandy, and Dan Wilson.