AMERICUS — State Rep. Bill McGowan, D-Americus, has announced that he will not seek re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives. He was elected in 2016, and his current term ends this year.  McGowan previously served as mayor of Americus, a member of the Americus City Council, and as Sumter County Tax Commissioner.

“Since the day I graduated from Georgia Southwestern with a major in political science, I have devoted a great deal of my life to political service,” said McGowan. “But the time has come for me to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders in our community. It has been a great honor to serve the citizens of District 138 in the State House of Representatives, and I will complete my term working hard to better the lives of all of those I serve.

“I plan to stay active sharing with, advising, and supporting those good people now serving and those who will serve in the future. To that end, I am pleased that Bardin Hooks has decided to run for this seat.  He’s the best person to do it, and I fully support him.” Hooks, 37, is a native of Americus and a partner in the law firm of Arnold & Hooks, LLC.  He is the son of former state Sen. George Hooks.

“On behalf of all in this community, I want to thank Rep. McGowan for his many years of steadfast public service in various roles,” Hooks said. “Bill ran his first campaign in 1980, the same year I was born, so he has been in political life for a long time, and we are all the beneficiaries of his devotion to his constituents.

“Bill has been a wonderful mentor to me over the past few months as I considered entering this race.  In the next few days, I plan to formally launch my campaign for House District 138. I am looking forward to Rep. McGowan’s continued advice and counsel as we move forward, and I hope to follow his example of honest and effective public service.”