Rick Jasperse announced he will enter the race as a Republican for the State House of Representatives 12 District seat. This position includes all of Pickens and portions of Gordon and Bartow Counties.

After January’s upcoming legislative session, this house seat will be open as current Representative Tom Graves will be running for U.S. Congress.

Jasperse retired this past spring as a University of Georgia County Extension Agent in Pickens County after 29 years of service with the university. He started his career in Bartow County after graduating from UGA. Throughout his career, he has been involved working with farmers, homeowners, businesses, and especially with our youth through the 4-H program.

The successful 4-H scholarship program, Appalachian Cattlemen’s Association, Master Gardener volunteers, Jasper Farmer’s Market, and the 4-H/Master Gardener Plant Sales are some of the activities Jasperse has worked on with co-workers and volunteers. He has received awards from the Poultry Industry, Cattlemen’s association and Pickens Partners for education.

He currently serves on the Board of the Chattahoochee Technical College, Appalachian Cattlemen’s Association, and is a past board member of the Mountain Conservation Trust and Pickens Head Start.

Jasperse has been married to Marcia for 28 years. She is a teacher at Pickens Pre-K at Head Start and they have three children. Elizabeth and Mary Alice are students at the University of Georgia and Bob is a senior at Pickens High School.

Jasperse looks forward to the opportunity to travel across the district to meet new friends and to see old friends. To contact Jasperse, please call him at home at 770-893-2039 or e-mail him at rjasperse@etcmail.com.