Rice, Siskin Thank Supporters in State Rep. Race

From Peachtree Corners Patch

Tom Rice, who has served as the State Representative for the Gwinnett cities of Peachtree Corners, Norcross and Berkeley Lake for the past 16 years, was re-elected last week to serve another two years.

The vote was 12,851 to 8,855 in favor of Rice, a Peachtree Corners resident, over his opponent Brooke Siskin, also from Peachtree Corners. It was Siskin's first time running for the State Representative seat.

"I want to thank the voters of House District 95 for the opportunity to serve them in the Georgia House of Representatives for another term," said Rice.  "I will continue to do my best to represent the values that characterize the great majority of voters in this district."

Brooke Siskin, 44, said had she been elected she would have focused her first year in the state legislature restore ethics and accountability and would represent her constituents and not special interest groups.

"I would like to thank the almost 9,000 voters of District 95 who cast their ballot for me in this election," said Siskin. "This race was hard fought and an exciting experience for me. Although the end result was not what I had hoped for, your vote gave me the confidence and conviction to carry on and do what is best for District 95 and the State of Georgia.

"I would also like to thank the volunteers, friends, and family who supported me in this race. I could not have done it without you. Because of you, I kept the momentum going to achieve over 40 percent of the vote in this district."

The 72-year-old Rice, who is the chairman of the Title 40 (Motor Vehicles law) Study Committee, said in 2013 he plans work toward developing legislation to improve better teen driving laws. He also will work to find a better way to address traffic violations and job growth for the state.

"In the coming session I plan to work on proposals that would aid economic growth by improving the opportunity for investors to infuse capital into business ventures that will decide to make Georgia their home.  

"I also plan to work on reducing the cost of government through changes to our traffic laws reclassifying minor traffic offenses into non-criminal status.  

"Finally, I will continue my work in the area of taxes as we look at ways to make Georgia more competitive with other states for new business through a reduction in the state income tax.  

"I look forward to hearing from any and all constituents with good ideas for legislative change.  You can contact me through my website."

See also:

• Q&A: State Rep. Tom Rice on Re-Election Bid

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