Catching many of his fellow Republicans off guard, U.S. Rep. John Linder said this past week that he will not seek reelection in November.
He announced his retirement during a speech at the Feb. 27 dedication of the Gwinnett County Republican Party headquarters.
Linder, 67, an 18-year veteran of Congress, offered no explanation other than to say that after 36 years of public service "It's time."
Several Republicans have since expressed interest in Linder's 7th Congressional District seat.
On Monday, State Senator Don Balfour confirmed that he would seek the Republican nomination for the post.
Balfour thanked Linder for his service and vowed to carry on Linder's work to pass the FairTax.
“The FairTax is about the freedom to control your own taxes instead of Obama and Democrats in Congress raising your income taxes for welfare state spending,” Balfour said. “I will continue John’s work on this issue.”
Balfour also pledged to stand up against President Obama and Speaker Pelosi’s “radical left wing agenda” because of his belief that Congress must turn away from “We the Government” and back to the Founding Fathers idea of “We the People”.
“We must stop Cap-and-Trade, Card Check, and government-run healthcare,” said Balfour, “and since I have never voted for an unbalanced budget in Georgia, I will help stop the Washington DC debt machine that is burying our children in Chinese-owned debt.”
“I also believe the war on terrorism is just that – a war – and not a matter of criminal justice,” said Balfour. “I am committed to doing what it takes to protect America.”
As chairman of the Rules Committee in the State Senate, Balfour helped pass conservative reforms such as limiting eminent domain, stopping junk lawsuits, banning partial birth abortion and the first state-level limits on illegal immigration in the USA.
On the local level, Balfour passed the property tax assessment freeze for Gwinnett homeowners in 2000 that eliminated backdoor tax increases and has saved Gwinnett homeowners an estimated $1.2 billion in the last ten years. Balfour also took a principled stand against his own party, being the only elected official speaking out against the five GOP Gwinnett commissioners attempting to raise property taxes by 30 percent.
In addition to Balfour, several other Republicans have expressed an interest in running for Linder's Congressional seat. Among the names that have been mentioned as possible candidates are Gwinnett County commissioner Mike Beaudreau, State Rep. Mike Coan, State Rep. Clay Cox, Gwinnett County GOP chairman Chuck Efstration, Sandy Springs city commissioner Doug MacGinnitie, former state GOP chairman Ralph Reed, State Rep. Tom Rice, State Sen. David Shafer and State Rep. Donna
Sheldon.
The 7th Congressional District includes all of Barrow and Walton counties along with portions of Forsyth, Gwinnett and Newton.
