Brad Owens, a security contractor who’s led a regional effort to bring film production to Augusta, is running for state House District 129.
Owens qualified Wednesday at the state Democratic Party headquarters to run to replace Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard, who died in office Oct. 13.
En route to Atlanta, Owens said he’s a “blue dog Democrat” who could help bring the party toward the center.
“The reason I’m running is because I’ve lived in that district my entire life, and I’ve been involved with Democratic politics in town and with my skillset, I feel that I could really have a lot to offer,” he said.
“I bring my business experience, my understanding of how the government works, and also new ideas and new energy. The delegation certainly could use some diversity,” Owens said.
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Owens has been critical of the direction the Democratic Party has taken, saying on his website it has lost touch with white voters. The video is from a panel he participated in after the 2016 presidential election, Owens said.
“We haven’t left the Democratic Party, the Democratic party’s platform has left us. The Democratic Party’s platform has left the white working middle class behind,” he said in the video.
Owens has run for office previously. In 1998, he ran for state House District 115, the seat held by Democrat and House Speaker Pro Tem Jack Connell.
He joins Howard’s brother, the Rev. Karlton Howard, and project manager Scott Cambers in qualifying for the House post. Also qualifying Wednesday was college student Davis Green.
Cambers’ website said he is running as an independent candidate and needs 1,910 signatures to get his name on the Dec. 20 ballot.
Candidate qualifying continues from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the headquarters in Atlanta.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theagugustapress.com
