10/28/2009 -

Rick Jasperse has announced he is entering the race for State House District 12 as a Republican candidate.
The house seat Jasperse seeks represents all of Pickens and portions of Gordon and Bartow counties. After January’s General Assembly session, the District 12 seat will open as current state representative, Tom Graves of Ranger, will vacate the place to run for the United States Congress.
Jasperse retired last spring as County Agent for Pickens County after 29 years of service with The University of Georgia Extension Service. He started his career in Bartow County after graduation from UGA. Jasperse’s career involved him with farmers, homeowners, businesses and especially 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 worked with the help of co-workers and volunteers. Georgia’s poultry industry, the Cattlemen’s Association and Pickens Partners for Education awarded Jasperse for his service.
Jasperse currently serves on the Board of Chattahoochee Technical College, the Appalachian Cattlemen’s Association and was a past board member of the Mountain Conservation Trust and Pickens Head Start.
His career-long experience in this district, touching agriculture, economic growth, and environmental issues, plus his extensive youth experience, provide Jasperse a unique grasp of local issues, making him a natural for the office.
He wants to continue his connection with people he served as county agent, seeking now to serve the larger community, the 12th District and the state. Jasperse promises to bring the same hard work ethic and conservative values he applied to his job to this present campaign and the State House if elected.
Jasperse has been married to his wife, Marcia, 28 years. She is a teacher of Pickens Pre-K at Head Start. The couple has three children. Elizabeth and Mary Alice are students at the University of Georgia. Bob is a senior at Pickens High School.
Jasperse looks forward to the opportunity to travel across the district, meeting new friends and seeing old friends. To discuss what you need from your state representative, contact Rick at home: 770-893-2039 or e-mail: rick@rickjasperse.org