Chuck Hufstetler, Republican for state Senate, District 52, is the first candidate in the senate race to sign the Americans for Tax Reform’s “Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”

The pledge, created in 1986 and endorsed by President Ronald Reagan the year of its conception, is a covenant between candidates and their constituents that once they are elected to office, they will oppose any and all tax increases.

“Today I am proud to announce my pledge to oppose any and all taxes increases that will come before the senate. This pledge was signed by Senators Preston Smith and Barry Loudermilk before me, and I look forward to carrying on this tradition that Northwest Georgia expects from their senator. I have a proven conservative record of cutting taxes. As a Floyd County Commissioner, I cut taxes six times which created close to a billion dollars in new and existing industry for our area,” stated Hufstetler.

Chuck Hufstetler’s primary opponent, David Doss, said he refuses to pledge to not raise taxes. On the May 12, 2012, WLAQ Tea Party Talk radio program, Doss stated that it was “irresponsible” to agree to the pledge not to raise taxes.

“For Mr. Doss to state it is ‘irresponsible’ to agree to not raise taxes on the people of Northwest Georgia shows how out of touch he is with the hardworking citizens of this area. His refusal to sign the pledge isn’t surprising. While he was on the Floyd County Commission, taxes were increased three times in his four years and the county government grew by thirty percent,” stated Hufstetler.

“As a state Senator, I will take my record of being a consistent conservative to Atlanta. I am proud to stand firm for lower taxes, personal responsibility, and less government,” concluded Hufstetler.