Fayette County has its first candidate in the March special election to replace the late County Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham.

Robert Horgan, 42, who owns Mr. Transmission in Fayetteville, announced this week that he would seek the post. This is Horgan’s first foray into the political arena and he said his business experience will help him deal with some of the issues the commission constantly faces.

“I know the process involved in starting and running a business in this county. I’m not the type of person who just sits back and watches things, so I decided to run,” he said.

In his platform, Horgan said he wants to work hard at improving communication lines among local governments and wants to maintain the slow growth the county has maintained over the last few years. But he’s not averse to adding more industry to the county’s tax base.

“You just really have to work hard to make sure you get quality companies to locate here, and I think that’s what everybody is working towards,” he said.

Horgan moved to Fayette County in 1977 and has lived in the north end of the county for almost 30 years. Horgan worked in the aviation industry for most of his career, but decided to strike out on his own in 2003 and opened Mr. Transmission.

Horgan also pledges to offer an “unwavering support for the Sheriff’s Department so they may be better equipped to serve our citizens countywide at their fullest capacity.

Commissioner VanLandingham passed away recently after a lengthy battle with cancer. The term will expire Dec. 31, 2008.

According to a press release from Fayette County, candidates for this vacant seat must live within an area known as Road District 1, which includes an area in and around the city of Fayetteville, east to the county line, and much of the north Fayette area. The salary is $20,307.42 per year plus the possibility of earning an additional $100 per month upon completion of a training program designed specifically for county commissioners in Georgia.

All candidates will be listed on one ballot but political party affiliation is required by law to be indicated on the ballot for each candidate. A candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote in order to avoid a run-off election with another candidate. If a run-off election is needed, the date is April 18.

Qualifying for the post runs from Jan. 9 at 8:30 a.m. to Jan. 13 at noon. The qualifying fee is $609.22.

For additional information concerning the special election, contact the Board of Elections Office at 770-460-5730, extension 5138.

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