Less than a week after state Rep. Kip Smith was charged with DUI in Atlanta, the Columbus Republican now has opposition in this year's primary.
Columbus businessman John Pezold, who owns and operates the Bradley Park McDonald's, announced today that he plans to run against Smith in the July primary.
Pezold said his decision to run was made prior to Smith's arrest, but his announcement was "complicated" by last week's events.
"I felt it was important to plant the flag right now," Pezold said this morning. "We probably would have announced in three or four weeks if the unfortunate incident had not occurred."
However, he started thinking about running more than two months ago.
"For me, the timing to run is right," Pezold said.
Pezold will be appearing throughout the district today. He has news conferences scheduled for LaGrange, .West Point, Hamilton and Columbus. House District 133 covers parts of Muscogee, Harris and Troup counties.
Pezold established a campaign FaceBook page late Tuesday.
Pezold's decision to enter the race comes as Smith is dealing with his own issues.
According to an Atlanta Police report, Smith was stopped Thursday just before midnight on Peachtree Road after Smith allegedly ran a red light. Smith was driving a gold Jaguar XJ8 with a tag that denoted his office and district, “SR129A.”
After failing a field sobriety test, Smith was arrested. He was later administered the state breath test, which indicated a blood alcohol content of .099 on the first blow and then .100.
The legal limit is .08. Smith was also cited for running the red light.
Smith is a real estate investor.
Pezold, 32, considered running for the seat when Smith was elected in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Smith's father Vance, who was appointed commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation. Pezold decided against it, saying the timing was not right for his family. Smith won a four-man race, eventually defeating Pine Mountain wellness center owner Steve Earles in a runoff.
In 2010, Smith was reelected without opposition.
By entering the race now, Pezold can begin raising money for the election. Smith is prohibited from raising campaign funds until the General Assembly session is over, probably in late March.
The primary in the Republican-dominated district is July 31.
