A Dallas man has stepped into the State House race for a newly drawn 16th District promising a fresh start for Polk and Paulding County at the Gold Dome based on the integrity he learned through past service to the nation, and the desire to continue serving now.
Scott Richards qualified on Tuesday as a new candidate in a state race for the Republican primary locally, and his message for local voters is clear: he might be from Dallas, but he wants the opportunity to represent not just both counties, but the entire state.
“I’ve always had an interest in politics on the state and federal level, and how it effects us,” he said. He thinks it comes from deep roots that – at least according to the geneaological studies his mother has done – go back to Richard Stockton, one of the New Jersey delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence.
“I care about what’s going on in our state, in our House and just as important our country as well,” Richards said.
Richards, a father of four and a grandfather of five, grew up in Cobb County and continued his education at Mars Hill College on a football scholarship, then went off to serve in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew in Medical Evacuations during Desert Storm and Somolia while in the Reserve after a career in the late 70s and early 80s in regular units. After his second round of service in the Air Force career, he came back home and ultimately became a General Contractor, and is owner Essential Construction Management in Dallas.
They do a combination of custom home building, commercial projects and has in recent months been working on churches in the area. That includes building the new sanctuary for Activation Church, and Mt. Vernon in Sandy Springs.
Richards is a widower after spending 35 years with Julia, who was director of Victim’s Assitance in the Bartow County’s District Attorney’s office. She passed away in 2020 after a battle with cancer.
Though his family is his joy, he also seeks to continue to serve the community and provide what’s been missing from state government in the 16th district: integrity and ultra-conservative values.
He agrees with State Senator Jason Anavitarte’s recent bill that passed the Senate to move forward with Constitutional Carry measures, and would vote on it if he were in the State House currently.
Additionally, Richards agrees with the values that voters have continued to agree upon in past elections out of leadership: pro-life, less government, conservative spending and pro-God. However, he differs from many in the legislature as a candidate with the following admission: he wants to see term limits on state house and senate seats.
“I’m not looking to make a career of it, because honestly it doesn’t make a lot of money to be a State Representative,” Richards admitted.
Part of that philosophy coincides with his thoughts on his opponent’s current position in the State House. State Rep. Trey Kelley has faced legal troubles criminally and in his home life, and in November gave up his position as the House Whip for the GOP. He isn’t looking to sling mud, but offer an alternative to local voters beyond what they have had in the past.
“Again, none of us are perfect. But I want to bring a little bit of trustworthiness back to the seat, a little bit of integrity and I think we need to start changing some things and exploring the idea of term limits,” Richards said.
He asked for voters to consider supporting his candidacy, and said that he will soon be launching a website to learn more about him and his platform.
“I might not live in Polk County, but I would represent Paulding and Polk. But the way I look at it, I represent all of Georgia, because my vote would impact all of Georgia,” he said.
Richards added that in response to comments from Kelley about facing a GOP challenger, he believes his campaign “This isn’t about divisiveness in our party, it needs to be about change and get career politicians out of there.”
This isn’t technically his first foray into politics: he was in a race with other competitors for a commission seat in another county, but lost in the effort with a crowded ballot. His efforts this time are much better organized, and he’s ready to serve his community once again.
Kelley and Richards would not face a challenger in the general election after a May 24 primary vote, since no democratic candidates have stepped up to run in the 16th District State House race so far. The winner would still appear on the ballot as the lone candidate in the race.
