Tom Knox, who from 2001-2010 represented Forsyth County in the state House, announced last week he plans to seek the newly created District 26 seat.

The district is entirely in Forsyth and covers the north end of the county and travels south along the county’s eastern edge by Lake Lanier.

Knox said he believes in limited government and lower spending.

“I was part of the Republican wave that took control of the Georgia General Assembly during the 2000s,” he said. “So I want to continue that.

“I served five terms and basically the new district is pretty much what my last district (District 24) was.”

Knox said he considered running again after some of his former constituents asked if he would.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I think I’ve got a lot of experience to offer and I’m a conservative Republican and constitutionalist.”

Knox did not seek re-election to his House post in 2010 and instead ran for state insurance and safety fire commissioner. He fell in the primary.

Knox, an attorney, has served as chairman of the House Insurance Committee and vice chair of the Judiciary Committee.

He is a member of several organizations, including the Georgia Bar Association, Georgia GOP, Forsyth County Humane Society, National Rifle Association and Good Shepherd Church. He and his wife, Michele, live on Lake Lanier.