Chip Rogers To Step Down From Senate

One of the state's most prominent Republican politicians is slated to step down from the Georgia Senate.

State Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) announced his resignation from the Georgia Senate in an interview with Walter Jones of Morris News. 

Rogers, 44, said in a statement he plans to accept a position with Georgia Public Broadcasting.

"The opportunity to help lead Georgia Public Broadcasting is like a dream come true in many respects," he said. "The incredible team put together by Director (Teya) Ryan is among the best in broadcasting. I really look forward to joining their efforts."  

GPB is launching a new initiative in which it will "facilitate coverage of economic development and jobs in Georgia," according to a press release from Rogers' office.

Rogers will spearhead the initiative with a statewide, weekly radio program that will examine "current economic development trends and highlighting companies that are growing and creating jobs."

"I am honored by this incredible opportunity," Rogers added. "Much of my career has been spent in broadcasting and helping my constituents. This melds both my passions. I look forward to creating programming on GPB that will move our great state of Georgia forward by helping connect Georgians to jobs." 

Rogers' decision comes weeks just after he decided not to seek re-election to the senate majority leader post.

Rogers, who said the toll of the majority leader post was "taking too much from my family," instead endorsed State Sen. Ronnie Chance of Tyrone. 

Rogers recently came under fire for a meeting he organized in which Georgia senate Republican leaders were briefed on Agenda 21.

Agenda 21, a United Nations comprehensive plan for sustainable development, has been coined by some conservatives as a plan by the government to overtake private property through zoning and detailed land-use ordinances passed by governing bodies.

Rogers was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002 and then to the Georgia Senate since 2004. He was first elected as majority leader in November 2008. He and wife Amy live in southeast Cherokee and have four children. 

Rogers is best known for his advocacy of tax reform and an avid proponent of charter schools. He was one of the most vocal proponents of the constitutional amendment that would establish a state commission to approve charter schools, which voters approved during the Nov. 6 election. 

No official announcement about replacing Rogers has been announced, but Cherokee County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens said during the commission's work session that Gov. Nathan Deal has scheduled a special election in January.