Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson announces run for Georgia Senate District 18

Wilson joins the 2024 Republican primary to succeed Sen. John Kennedy, who is running for lieutenant governor.

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson has announced his campaign for Georgia State Senate District 18, joining what is now a contested Republican primary to replace outgoing Senator John Kennedy.

District 18 includes Crawford, Monroe, Peach, and Upson counties, along with parts of Bibb and Houston. Sen. Kennedy is not seeking re-election and is instead running for lieutenant governor.

Wilson’s announcement comes one day after attorney and family farmer Steven McNeel informed 41NBC he’s running for the same seat. McNeel lives in Macon and is a partner at Buzzell, Welsh & Hill.

Former Georgia Representative Lauren Daniel aannounced her campaign for the seat on June 16.

In his announcement, Wilson said he’s running “because Middle Georgia needs strong, conservative and experienced leadership fighting for us and our values at the State Capitol – just as Senator Kennedy has done.”

Wilson owns MedPro EMS, a private ambulance service in Forsyth and Warner Robins, and has served as Forsyth’s mayor since 2015. He previously served on Forsyth City Council for nearly six years.

“I bring a unique and needed perspective to this race, having served as a small business owner for over 25 years and as a mayor for the past 10 years,” Wilson said. “I understand the challenges our families, communities, and businesses face, and I firmly share the conservative values we hold dear.”

Wilson said his legislative goals include eliminating the state income tax, reducing insurance costs, supporting law enforcement, and opposing what he called “radical policies that threaten our freedoms.”