Jim Whitehead
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Jim Whitehead (born 1942, Augusta, GA) is a Republican member of the Georgia State Senate and is a cadidate for U.S. Congress in Georgia's 10th congressional district's special election to replace the late congressman Charlie Norwood.
Whitehead attended Richmond County public schools, and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1960. As a standout athlete, he earned All-American honors as a football tackle and setting the Academy track team record for the shot put.
Whitehead continued has athletic career as a Bulldog at the University of Georgia in Athens from 1960-62 in both football and track. He played as an offensive and defensive tackle with quarterback Fran Tarkenton, and set a UGA shot put record which stood for 6 years.
Whitehead founded Jim Whitehead Tire Company in 1985, which has two locations in the Greater Augusta area. He is also President of Southeast Tire Group, Inc., a buying service for independent tire dealers.
In 1994 Whitehead was elected to the Columbia County Commission, where he served until 2002, including a term as Chairman. He was first elected to the Georgia Senate in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee, a member of the Economic Development and Natural Resources Committees, and Deputy Whip for Senate Republicans.
Whitehead is a member of the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital in Augusta, and an advisory Board Member of First Bank of Augusta. He has served as the Chairman of the Augusta Red Cross, Board Member of the Georgia Tire Dealers Association, Member of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, Member of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a Member of the Pastor-Parrish Relations Committee of Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans.
Jim Whitehead married the former Peggy Ann Bond of DeKalb County in 1964. Jim and Peggy Whitehead live in Evans, Georgia, and are members of Wesley United Methodist Church. The Whiteheads have two sons, a daughter, two daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law.
