Larry Dent, a former deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, has picked up the endorsement of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce in his bid for a seat on the State Transportation Board.
The chamber board, which met Thursday, approved a motion to send a letter endorsing Dent to all of the state senators and representatives in the 9th District.
Dent’s name emerged this week as a contender for the post, which was vacated by former Forsyth County State Rep. Mike Evans, R-Cumming.Evans announced in April he was beginning a romantic relationship with DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham. This week, Evans revealed that Abraham had accepted his proposal of marriage and they would wed this summer.
Dent is a part of a crowded field for the transportation board seat. Others said to be in the running are Phil Neff, a Republican activist from Dalton; former state Sen. Steve Farrow, also of Dalton; state Rep. Ben Bridges, R-Cleveland, who is not seeking re-election to the House; and Ray Seipp, a Lookout Mountain City Council member.
The members of the transportation board are elected by the votes of state legislators from the respective congressional districts.
The vote on the 9th District will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday at the state Capitol in Atlanta.