TIFTON — Jim Quinn, a native of Leesburg, cites years of public service for his decision to run for Georgia’s State Senate District 13 seat.

The special called election, taking place on Feb. 4, will fill the seat left empty upon the death of Senator Greg Kirk.

“I have done public service locally for about 25 years,” Quinn, who is running as a Republican, said in a phone interview. “I love South Georgia and I thought this was a great way to give back on a bigger level.”

Quinn said that the big issues that he wants to work on are healthcare, economic development and bridging a “disconnect between Atlanta and South Georgia.”

“Years ago, the state passed a law that elected officials had to do ethics forms online,” he said. “There are places in South Georgia that don’t have internet connections. There were government officials that didn’t have email so they couldn’t file the paperwork online. I’m sure the people in Atlanta assumed everybody can do stuff online.”

He said that the necessity of having high speed internet for work and school is crucial for economic growth in rural areas.

Should he be elected, he also wants to focus on job creation.

“We’ve got to get better jobs in South Georgia to grow,” he said. “We are losing population. We’ve got to work on job creation to get more people and more businesses and grow our area.”

He also said his experience on the Albany Area Primary Health Care Board has led him to believe that access to primary health care is crucial for uninsured, underinsured and insured people.

“I think that will fill the gap in healthcare,” he said.

Quinn said that he will do a great job representing the whole of the district.

“I really have dedicated my life to public service,” he said. “I volunteer at all kinds of running and biking events.”

He said that his professional life as a journalist have helped him gain an understanding of government.

Quinn is running against fellow Republican Carden Summers and Democrat Mary Egler.