State Rep. Carl Gilliard bids farewell to Georgia House

ATLANTA, Ga. (WTOC) - State Rep. Carl Gilliard said his goodbyes Monday on his last day on the Georgia House floor.

Gilliard has represented Georgia House District 162 for the past decade. Earlier this month, he announced he would not be running for re-election when his term ends in January.

He thanked his family and friends, saying the decision is more than personal.

“I want to thank God for the opportunity that He gave me to serve,” Gilliard said. “Sometimes you just gotta stop what you’re doing and know it’s not about you, that you just gotta thank God. So to my suitemate brother Douglas I’m getting ready to go back to Savannah because I gotta answer the call. I gotta go back to Savannah because God called me. Because who He calls he justify, and who He justify He calls.”

Gilliard is set to be replaced by Democrat Orlando Scott, who is running unopposed.