About Representative Benton

Welcome! This website was developed so that citizens of District 31 could find information easily concerning those things transpiring during the current session of the Georgia General Assembly.
I am a lifelong, 6th generation resident of Jackson County. My wife, Karen, and I have four children and two “grand” children and live in Jefferson.
I grew up in Commerce and attended the Commerce School System graduating from Commerce High School in 1968. I then attended West Georgia College from 1968-1972 earning an AB in History. I later earned a MEd in Middle School Education from Brenau College in 1983.
I was employed by the Jackson County School System from 1974-2004 and taught all middle school subjects except math at one time or another during my career. My area of concentration was Georgia History which I taught for 30 years but I also taught American History and world studies. I taught at Maysville Elementary, Jackson County Middle School and East Jackson Middle School. I was also employed by McDonald Hardware in Commerce from 1975-2011 on a part-time basis.
Since 1962 I have been an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Commerce. I have always felt that people should give back to their community. So to further that idea I became a Hunter Safety Instructor, member and later chairman of the Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission and Treasurer of the Jackson County Bicentennial Commission.
Remaining true to my heritage I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I am also involved in the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, the Gainesville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the Jackson County Historical Society and a member of Unity Lodge #36 F&AM.
Since taking office in 2005, I have tried to do to the best of my ability serve the interest of the district. In doing so I have been placed on several House committees and I currently serve as Chairman of the Human Relations and Aging Committee, Secretary of the Education Committee, and as a member of Appropriations, Retirement, Rules and Transportation committees. I am also a member of the Georgia Rural Caucus which is made up of Representatives and Senators from rural areas of the State. This caucus discusses legislation which would affect the rural areas of the state. I have also been appointed by the Speaker to be a representative to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Natural Resource Committee, and to the Southern Legislative Conference, Education Committee.
Thank you for allowing me to be your representative in the 31st District. You, as my constituents, remain and will always be my primary focus. Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns.
I am a lifelong, 6th generation resident of Jackson County. My wife, Karen, and I have four children and two “grand” children and live in Jefferson.
I grew up in Commerce and attended the Commerce School System graduating from Commerce High School in 1968. I then attended West Georgia College from 1968-1972 earning an AB in History. I later earned a MEd in Middle School Education from Brenau College in 1983.
I was employed by the Jackson County School System from 1974-2004 and taught all middle school subjects except math at one time or another during my career. My area of concentration was Georgia History which I taught for 30 years but I also taught American History and world studies. I taught at Maysville Elementary, Jackson County Middle School and East Jackson Middle School. I was also employed by McDonald Hardware in Commerce from 1975-2011 on a part-time basis.
Since 1962 I have been an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Commerce. I have always felt that people should give back to their community. So to further that idea I became a Hunter Safety Instructor, member and later chairman of the Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission and Treasurer of the Jackson County Bicentennial Commission.
Remaining true to my heritage I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I am also involved in the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, the Gainesville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the Jackson County Historical Society and a member of Unity Lodge #36 F&AM.
Since taking office in 2005, I have tried to do to the best of my ability serve the interest of the district. In doing so I have been placed on several House committees and I currently serve as Chairman of the Human Relations and Aging Committee, Secretary of the Education Committee, and as a member of Appropriations, Retirement, Rules and Transportation committees. I am also a member of the Georgia Rural Caucus which is made up of Representatives and Senators from rural areas of the State. This caucus discusses legislation which would affect the rural areas of the state. I have also been appointed by the Speaker to be a representative to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Natural Resource Committee, and to the Southern Legislative Conference, Education Committee.
Thank you for allowing me to be your representative in the 31st District. You, as my constituents, remain and will always be my primary focus. Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns.