Howard Peterson

In 1980, Peterson announced that he would run for the state legislature to succeed State Senator Ralph Kelly in the 35th district, which was based in Hall County.^[3] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced businessman Kenny Gray and attorney Glen Murray.^[4] Peterson placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 58 percent of the vote to Gray's 24 percent and Murray's 18 percent.^[5] He and Gray advanced to the general election,^[6] but on September 24, 1980, Gray announced that he was suspending his campaign, citing his wife's pregnancy.^[7] Peterson subsequently defeated Gray in a landslide, winning 77–23 percent.^[5][8]

Peterson ran for re-election in 1984.^[9] He was challenged by Arlene Nelson, a farmer and former program assistant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.^[10] Nelson criticized Peterson for abstaining on the impeachment vote for Attorney General Paul L. Douglas, which she argued was "playing politics."^[11] Nelson placed first over Peterson in the primary election, winning 62 percent of the vote to his 38 percent.^[12] In the general election, Peterson lost to Nelson, receiving 44 percent of the vote to her 56 percent.^[12][13]

Peterson died on November 19, 2003.^[2]