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Bonner, Chance announce endorsements

Both candidates in the Republican runoff election for the District 16 seat in the State Senate announced new endorsements last week.

U.S. Rep. Mac Collins endorsed Bill Bonner, one of only two candidates in the entire state getting Collins’ endorsement, according to a release from the Bonner campaign.

“Your record of service as a Fayette County commissioner, experience as a business owner, civic service, and a family man are qualities which are valuable to the Georgia State Senate,” said Collins. “I am confident that you are the best candidate to represent the 16th Senate District. Therefore, I personally endorse you and suggest the voters favor you with their vote.”

“No one has represented our conservative values better than Mac Collins,” said Bonner upon receiving the endorsement. “He has been a dedicated servant of the people he represents. I am deeply honored to have his support. With the voters support, I will provide that same kind of effective, conservative leadership at the State Capitol.”

Bonner is currently a partner in the real estate investment firm Southeast Properties and in December was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to the Georgia Real Estate Commission. He is on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Blackrock Foundation. He served on the Fayette County Board of Commissioners for eight years.

Bonner has been married to the former Nancy Bramlett of Atlanta for 37 years. They have four sons and three grandchildren. The Bonners are members of New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville.

Ronnie Chance, Bonner’s opponent, was formerly an advisor and district director for Collins, according to Chance’s campaign Web site.

Chance was endorsed by Spalding County Commissioner Dick Morrow, who finished third in the primary race for the District 16 seat.

“I am honored to announce that our former opponent, Spalding County Commissioner Dick Morrow, has pledged his unfettered support to our campaign and, along with his supporters, has joined our team,” said Chance.

Morrow, who received 30 percent of the vote district-wide during the primary election, overwhelmingly won Spalding County with over 2,700 votes.

“I have known Ronnie for quite some time and believe he is the best choice to represent our area at the state capitol,” Morrow said. “I am giving him my wholehearted support and hope the voters of the 16th District will join me in voting for him Aug. 10.”

Chance received the majority of the vote in Fayette and Pike counties on the July 20 primary election, but fell short of receiving the required 50 percent plus 1 vote to avoid a runoff. The 16th State Senate district includes parts of Fayette, Spalding, Pike, Monroe and Lamar counties.

Chance, who grew up in south Fayette county, said of the Morrow endorsement, “I believe this is a tremendous step in uniting this district toward the common goal of equal representation and good government for every citizen in every county. I am excited about the future of this district. And I am excited to be a part of the new generation of leadership in the great state of Georgia.”

Chance has been involved in Georgia politics and public affairs for over 15 years. He began his career in 1988 as an aide to State Representative Lynn Westmoreland. Chance served as state director to Mac Collins and Georgia Executive Director for the Dole for President campaign in 1996. After the Dole race, Chance founded a company specializing in public relations and targeted grassroots and grass tops strategies.

He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Peachtree City and is married to the former Cressida Stevens of Gloucestershire, England. The Chances have one daughter, Ellia, and currently reside in Tyrone.