Hall County resident and Republican Matt Dubnik has announced his intent to run for the state House District 29 post, filling the seat held by longtime state Rep. Carl Rogers, who announced this week he is retiring.

Dubnik, a small-business owner, said the decision to serve Gainesville and Hall County was not reached lightly.

“I’ve wanted to serve our community in this capacity since I was a young adult,” Dubnik said in a news release. “After much prayerful deliberation, my wife, Katie, and I came to the conclusion that this is my way to, as her grandfather James Mathis Sr. used to say, ‘pay a little rent’ to this community we have called home almost our entire lives.

“I’d also like to take this time to thank Rogers for his tireless devotion to our community, and for his 22-plus years of service.”

The state primary is set for May 24. Qualifying for state races is next week.

Dubnik, an alumnus of Lakeview Academy and Georgia Institute of Technology, is a graduate of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s leadership program, a former Ducks Unlimited regional director and current state-level senior volunteer for the organization, a previous Gainesville Jaycees board officer and a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville.

“Service to my community is all that I have ever known,” Dubnik said. “My family and my wife’s family have been devoted to this community for generations, and I want to carry on that legacy of compassion, and fiscal and social conservatism, for the betterment of our community.

“I want to represent Hall County because we need to protect our community’s values and continue to build a growing economic engine for the hardworking citizens of North Georgia.”

To learn more about Dubnik’s candidacy, visit www.dubnikforhouse.com.