Effingham County native Jesse Tyler entered the race Tuesday morning to replace Buddy Carter in the Georgia House of Representatives' 159th District seat.

Tyler is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and served as vice chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans. He was also a field representative for Max Burns' Congressional campaign and worked Bill Graham's gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina.

Tyler is stepping down as the South Georgia campaign director for John Oxendine's gubernatorial campaign.

"I am pleased to offer myself as a candidate for the 159th House District," Tyler said. "I bring true, conservative, Republican values to the race and offer the voters of Effingham County and West Chatham a clear alternative. I am committed to work hard for the citizens of this district to represent their interests in Atlanta and look forward to their support in the upcoming special election."

Gov. Sonny Perdue has called for a Nov. 3 special election to fill Carter's seat. Carter resigned from the post to run for the vacated 1st District Senate seat, left open when Eric Johnson opted to concentrate on his run for governor.