ATLANTA – Last week, former U.S. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of Coweta County was elected to represent west central Georgia’s Third Congressional District (CD 3) on the State Transportation Board, which includes Troup County.

Westmoreland was affirmed by state representatives and senators from his district to serve the remaining term of retired board member Sam Wellborn, which expires April 15, 2022.

Westmoreland served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years through 2017, where he served six years on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He also served on the Financial Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Prior to that, he served 12 years in the Georgia House of Representatives; the last four as minority leader.

Westmoreland acknowledged and thanked his predecessor Sam Wellborn.

“I certainly have big shoes to fill. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of CD 3 on the State Transportation Board,” Westmoreland said.

“I understand the importance of keeping our transportation industry safe and financially sound for all travelers on any mode they choose. And I am eager to get to work in helping shape the future of transportation in Georgia.”

Local leaders are likewise enthusiastic about working with Westmoreland in this new capacity.

“I am very excited that Lynn has been elected to the DOT board. We’ve had a great working relationship with the DOT — and particularly Sam Wellborn who recently retired,” LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton said. “But I know that Lynn Westmoreland will do a great job in this role. He has been a good friend to LaGrange and Troup County throughout his years in Congress, and I am very excited to know that he is going to take on this new challenge.”

Local leaders have emphasized the importance of having GDOT representatives that understand the needs that come with LaGrange and Troup County’s growth on numerous occasions, and Westmoreland’s experience in those areas will likely be an asset to both identifying and meeting those needs.

“We are very excited because he knows about this area well,” County Commission Chairman Patrick Crews said.

“Our local leaders will able to work with him to address our transportation needs.”

Westmoreland, an Atlanta native, attended Georgia State University before going into the construction industry.

He started his construction business in 1982, where he worked in residential and light commercial construction, as well as mediation and expert witness testimony. He is currently principal of Westmoreland Strategies LLC.

He and his wife of 49 years reside in Grantville, Georgia. They have three children and eight grandchildren.