AUGUSTA, Ga. - Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue must now call a special election to fill former Sen. Ed Tarver's seat. Two people have already put their names in the hat to run for the job.

Georgia Rep. Hardie Davis and Richmond County Solicitor Harold Jones have started campaigning for the District 22 seat. They both say they want Augusta to move forward. Both candidates say they want to focus on the issues that matter most to voters.

"Am I going to be able to work? Am I going to able to take care of my family? Send my kids to school? I've embraced those issues over the last three years,” said Davis.

“We need elected officials who will stand up and say, 'look, this is what matters most to people,' who I see everyday,” said Jones.

Solicitor Harold Jones says he decided to run after the TEE center became a major debate between Augusta commissioners.

“What people are interested in are incomes and jobs. But our number one concern in a city with 21 percent poverty rate has been a TEE center. And the economic benefit is debatable,” said Jones.

As the Richmond County Board of Education tries to decide on whether they will start collecting taxes from people 65 and older and the commissioners debate on a mil increase or a one cent sales tax, both candidates say they want to consider all options before they raise taxes.

“Do we have data that says we can get $7 million from seniors? We need to look at that before we repeal the process,” said Davis.

“We have corporate entities that receive tax exemption on the table that we need to look at,” said Jones.

But it's not just issues about taxes. They want to fix the problem of the racial divide that they say holds Augusta back.

“I have a broad case of support. I have supporters from the African American, white, and Hispanic communities. I have bridged the gap across cultures and generations,” said Davis.

“It may not be racial lines but political lines. If we look at it like that, it might help us out in the dialogue,” said Jones.

A date for the special election has not been set. Lynn Bailey with the Richmond County Board of Elections tells NBC Augusta 26 News that up to the governor. She says it's possible it could be held before January.

NBC Augusta 26 News brings you straight to the point news, weather, and sports from Augusta and the CSRA. Meet our NBC Augusta 26 News staff!