Third Republican Joins Race For HD123

September 15, 2015

A physician and businessman Tuesday became the third Republican to seek the District 123 House seat in the Georgia General Assembly.

Dr. Mark Newton, at lectern, announces his candidacy for the District 123 House seat Tuesday morning September 15, 2015.
Flanked by civic leaders including former mayor Deke Copenhaver and state transportation board member Don Grantham, Mark Newton announced his campaign as a leader and “bridge builder,” representing parts of Richmond and Columbia counties in District 123.

Newton joins former Augusta mayor Bob Young and attorney Wright McLeod in seeking the seat, which comes open when Barbara Sims retires next year.

Newton served as an Army doctor during Operation Desert Storm after graduating from the Medical College of Georgia. For 15 years, he has served as chairman and medical director of the Emergency Department at Doctors Hospital. He is founder and CEO of MedNow Urgent Care, which has three area locations.

“I want to be a bridge builder” for Augusta, he said, “between medical and military,” the “exciting expansion of downtown Augusta out to new growth in the Evans and Grovetown area” and “between government at all levels and a rich and vibrant private sector.”

Grantham, who introduced Newton, called him “the perfect candidate” for the post.

Candidate qualifying for the office starts in March, and party primaries will be held next summer.

Original Article