- District Identifier: Georgia House District 11 (GA-HD-011)
- District Key: sldl:13:11
- Wiki Path: explore/places/ga/lower/11
- State: Georgia
- Chamber: Lower (House of Representatives)
- Apportionment Cycle: 2020 Census redistricting maps
¶ 2. Geography and Communities
- Geographic Scope: Spans Murray, Gordon, and Pickens counties in northwest Georgia.
- Municipalities and Communities: Includes cities and towns such as Chatsworth, Calhoun, and Jasper.
- Transportation Corridors: Intersected by major transit routes including Interstate 75 through Gordon County, alongside state routes connecting mountain passes to the broader valley.
- Environmental and Water Systems: Drained by the Coosawattee River and tributaries flowing into the broader Coosa River basin, bounded by the Cohutta Wilderness to the east.
- Adjacent Districts: Borders surrounding state house districts in Whitfield, Gilmer, Cherokee, and Bartow counties.
¶ 3. Population and Electorate
- Population Total: Compliant with single-member state house districting averages near 59,585 residents per 2020 Census standards.
- Demographic Composition: Predominantly non-Hispanic White with growing Hispanic representation in manufacturing centers like Calhoun and Chatsworth.
- Electorate Characteristics: Robustly conservative electorate blending industrial manufacturing workers, agricultural producers, and exurban commuters.
- Housing Dynamics: Diverse residential base ranging from historic farmsteads in Pickens County to suburban developments and industrial-adjacent housing in Gordon and Murray counties.
- Voter Participation: Consistently high turnout in Republican primaries and reliable margins in general elections.
¶ 4. Elections and Political Context (dated historical records)
- Representation History: Represented in the General Assembly by Rick Jasperse (R), who has held the seat since 2010.
- Recent Electoral Outcomes: Incumbent Rick Jasperse won re-election in the November 2024 general election defeating Democratic challenger Kayla Hollifield.
- Prior Legislative Contestedness: Maintained solid electoral margins across successive election cycles against Democratic challengers.
- Candidate Filings: Official electoral administration is overseen via the Georgia Secretary of State portal.
- Electoral Mapping: Enacted under state legislative maps approved following post-2020 redistricting litigation.
¶ 5. Economic and Civic Anchors
- Industrial Manufacturing: Heavily tied to the regional flooring and carpet manufacturing hub centered in Gordon County (Calhoun) and adjacent Murray County.
- Higher and Technical Education: Educational and workforce training supported by regional institutions including Chattahoochee Technical College.
- Agriculture and Forestry: Active local agricultural production, cattlemen's associations, and timber management supported by organizations like the Appalachian Cattlemen's Association.
- Conservation Trusts: Land and natural resource preservation coordinated through groups such as the Mountain Conservation Trust.
- Civic Organizations: Local service networks including active Rotary clubs, chambers of commerce, and community volunteer boards.
¶ 6. People and Organizations to Map
- Key Figures: State Representative Rick Jasperse, county commission chairs, and municipal leaders in Murray, Gordon, and Pickens counties.
- Civic Entities: Chattahoochee Technical College, regional chambers of commerce, and agricultural extension services.
- Correlation Question 1: How do flooring manufacturing and carpet industry supply chains in Gordon and Murray counties drive regional employment and freight infrastructure needs in Georgia House District 11?
- Correlation Question 2: What role does Chattahoochee Technical College play in supplying trained technical labor for light manufacturing and healthcare employers across Pickens and Gordon counties?
- Correlation Question 3: How do local agricultural conservation efforts interact with expanding suburban commuter pressures moving northward from metropolitan Atlanta into Pickens County?
¶ 7. Representation and Legislative Work
- Legislative Duties: Representative Rick Jasperse serves on key House committees overseeing transportation, agriculture, and education.
- Policy Focus Areas: Legislative priorities include rural road infrastructure, workforce development programs, and support for technical education.
- Constituent Services: District office manages local constituent casework, state agency coordination, and infrastructure petitions.
- Legislative Tracking: Official bills, committee hearings, and legislative actions are accessible via the Georgia General Assembly Legislation Portal.
- Intergovernmental Coordination: Collaboration with county and municipal leaders on regional economic development and transportation initiatives.