Gregory Baker of Lithia Springs has announced his candidacy in the July 20 Democratic Primary for the Douglas County District 1 Board of Commissioners (BOC) seat.

Baker is the first candidate to announce for a county office in the 2010 elections. Qualifying will open April 26 and close on April 30.

The winner of the July 20 Democratic Primary will face a Republican opponent in the Nov. 2 general election.

The District 1 seat is held by Freddie Ashmon Jr, of Lithia Springs, elected to his first term in 2006.

“I feel my district needs new leadership,” Baker said in announcing his candidacy. “There’s things that need to be done that I’m not seeing and would like to do.”

Baker said he listens to people well and will try to do what people ask for. He said he has been a business owner for the last 15 years, running a successful mortgage and real estate company and insurance agency.

Baker was born in Chicago, and his family moved to California in 1968, where he lived for 30 years in Yorba Linda. He has been living in Lithia Springs for the past eight years.

He has an associate degree from Moorpark College in Moorpark, California and attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He is a student in religious classes at Mercer University.

Baker said he was active in local politics and civic activities while living in California, working with parks and recreation, Boys & Girls clubs, Rotary Club and providing business opportunities for the juvenile system.

He is a member of the Elks Club in Union City.

Baker is married and has two grown children.