Gwinnett Daily Post

Earlier this year, candidates in a special House district election knew before the results were complete that new district lines would mean an entirely new race by the end of the year.

But that isn't stopping Tom Kirby, who won former state Rep. Len Walker's District 107 seat in a runoff in March.

This week, he announced he would indeed seek the newly drawn House District 114 seat that includes his Loganville home.

"Kirby is excited to be adding precincts in Rockdale and Barrow Counties to the district," a press release said. Kirby's current district includes portions of Gwinnett and Walton counties. "He knows many citizens of Rockdale County have wanted a conservative voice that represents their views. He is committed to being that conservative voice, while continuing the solid conservative representation his current district and Barrow County have enjoyed."

During his short stint in the General Assembly before this year's session ended, Kirby supported a tax reform bill and zero-based budgeting measures. He also supported a bill requiring drug testing for welfare recipients.

"I am committed to represent you, to be available and accessible to you, and to be responsive to your needs," Kirby said in the release. "I am humbled by the trust the voters have placed in me, and I ask for your support so that I can continue the responsibility of serving you."

Go to www.electtomkirby.com or www.facebook.com/TomKirbyforStateHouse for more information.

County leaders hold strategy session

Commissioners will spend a day next week discussing the future of Gwinnett.

The "strategic planning session" is a mini-version of the retreat commissioners took in years past to take a three-day look at the county's direction.

Scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, the session includes a look at economic conditions and discussions on infrastructure, public safety and planning and development initiatives.

This is the first strategic planning session held since Chairwoman Charlotte Nash joined the board last year.

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Camie Young can be reached via email at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.

For archived columns, go to www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/local/politics.