Floyd County Commissioner Chad Whitefield filed a declaration of candidacy Friday that allows him to start raising funds for a 2012 state Senate campaign.

The Georgia General Assembly adopted new district voting maps this year that places Floyd County and the western part of Gordon County under the same state Senate district (52) for the 2012 election.

Whitefield, a Republican, said he’s been encouraged by the number of people promising to support his campaign for the open seat.

Whitefield owns Rome-based Advance Rehabilitation, with 18 physical therapy clinics in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

He was first elected to the Floyd County Commission in 2006 and was unopposed in 2010. His term runs through Dec. 31, 2014, but he’ll have to give up that seat if he qualifies in May 2012 for the Senate race.

The revised district voting maps, based on the 2010 Census, are under review by the U.S. Justice Department and a federal court.

"I'm excited to officially get this process started. Ever since I announced I was interested in running if the General Assembly passed the maps to make the 52nd Senate seat open, I've been encouraged by the number of people who have promised to pray for me, support me, and get involved in this campaign," stated Whitefield.

"This election is about jobs. As a businessman and entrepreneur who has created hundreds of private-sector jobs, balanced budgets, and cut waste, I have the experience we need to help get Georgia moving again. Freeing the hands of small businesses and reducing the heavy hand of government on the hardworking citizens of our state is how we will get our economy back on track," stated Whitefield.