ATLANTA - Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley announced today she will qualify next week for the District 50 House seat being vacated by Speaker Emeritus Mark Burkhalter.

“I am honored to be able to run for a seat held by a legend in North Fulton politics,” Riley said. “I’m so excited about the possibility of working with a Republican Majority eager to help the citizens of North Fulton.”

Riley, a professional accountant, said she wants to pursue an agenda of creating jobs and reducing the tax burden on North Fulton citizens and all Georgians if elected to the state Legislature. In addition, she said she would work very closely with Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton) to pursue legislation to recreate Milton County, a county that was merged into Fulton County in 1932.

“In this economy there are just a few subjects on the taxpayers’ minds: jobs, taxes and how to lessen the burden on their wallets,” said Riley. “We have to make government easier on Georgia taxpayers and not be like Uncle Sam -- always taking and never giving back.”

Jones, also a North Fulton resident, said Riley would be a superb addition to the Georgia House.

“Commissioner Riley has kept a watchful eye over one of the most spendthrift local governments in our state, Fulton County,” Jones said. “With her experience as an accountant and a small business owner, she will certainly be an advocate for the taxpayer.”

Riley was first elected to the Fulton Commission in 2004 to fill the unexpired term of the late Commissioner Bob Fulton. She is serving her second term as a Commissioner from District 3.

During Riley’s tenure she has successfully shined a light on the big-spending of the Fulton Commission, even getting her fellow commissioners to agree to an accountable payment method which led to transparency in the way the county pays for services from Grady Memorial Hospital.

During the creation of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and the city of Milton over the past four years, Riley facilitated the smooth transition of services with her active involvement.

In addition to serving as Commissioner, Riley serves as Chairman of the Georgia Public Defender Supervisory Council for the Atlanta Circuit. She is a 2008 graduate of the Coverdell Leadership Institute. She also serves on the board of the Alpharetta Police Athletic League and is Treasurer of the Alpharetta Rotary Club. She is a founding member of the boards of the Johns Creek Foundation and the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute, Inc.

Riley and her husband Mike are the parents of three grown children. They reside in Johns Creek.

Riley can be reached at: LynneRileyforGeorgia@gmail.com