Georgetown, TX—Today, local physician and Republican State Representative Charles Schwertner filed paperwork with the Republican Party of Texas to run for the new State Senate District 5.Senator Steve Ogden, who has represented District 5 since 1997, announced his retirement earlier this year.The new State Senate District 5 includes Brazos, Freestone, Grimes, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Walker and Williamson Counties.

Since announcing his intention to seek Senate District 5 earlier this fall, Schwertner has completed a listening tour of the district and has received strong individual endorsements in all 10 counties including district mayors, education leaders, GOP club presidents, precinct chairs, Republican and TEA Party activists and local state legislators. Additionally, his“Aggies for Schwertner”group already includes over 150 students, faculty, alumni, and Regents.A full list of endorsements can be found on the campaign websitewww.DrSchwertner.com.

“I am energized by the early and overwhelming support, and I look forward to running a robust person-to-person grassroots campaign across the entire district to try and earn the support of all District 5 families,” said Schwertner.“I have the utmost respect for the job that Senator Ogden has done, and feel it's important that the people of Senate District 5 continue to be represented by someone who shares their values and conservative principles: a government that lives within its means, taxes which are low and fair, and a regulatory environment that doesn’t punish small businesses.”

This past legislative session, Rep. Schwertner served as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Public Health.He successfully fought to help balance the state budget without raising taxes, increase the state’s border security measures, pass photo ID legislation, pass a proof of citizenship requirement for those seeking a Texas driver’s license, support veterans, restore local community controls to public education, strengthen private property owner rights by co-authoring landmark eminent domain abuse reform legislation, pass “loser pays” tort reform, and defend pro-life and pro-family values, including passage of the “sonogram bill.”

Dr. Schwertner, his wife Belinda (a local OB/GYN), and their three sons are residents of Georgetown and active members of St. Helen’s Catholic Church. He is a local orthopedic surgeon and small business owner with medical practices in both Georgetown and Round Rock employing over 50 individuals and providing annual care to over 20,000 local patients.The son of a farmer and rancher, Schwertner is a lifelong conservative Republican and NRA member.  (END)