Staton running for Georgia Senate seat

By John Pierce

Baptist Today

MACON, Ga. - Cecil P. Staton Jr., president of Smyth & Helwys Publishing, announced March 29 that he is seeking a seat in the Georgia state Senate. He will run as a Republican to represent the newly configured District 18 in central Georgia.

Staton told Baptists Today that creation of the new district in which he lives and has business interests "came about very quickly." He said that his political involvement is an attempt to improve community life. "I see this as a way to make the community where we live and work, and are raising our sons who may likely live in this area, a better community."

This is Staton's second venture into electoral politics. He lost a runoff election to fellow Republican Phil Gingrey in 2002, who eventually won the 11th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Since entering politics, Staton has reduced his daily involvement in Smyth & Helwys, a 12-year-old publishing company that provides Sunday school materials and other resources to many moderate Baptist congregations. Staton said he is still "very committed to that enterprise" but has entrusted executive vice president and publisher David Cassady with overseeing daily operations.

Station also owns Stroud & Hall, a new venture that published Sen. Zell Miller's recent book, A National Party No More. He also owns Staton Broadcasting Company.

"I see public service much as I see ministry," he said. "I see it as a calling."