Dan Matthews of Watkinsville, endorsed by Georgia Equality, is in a runoff for House District 113 after a special election held June 21. The runoff is slated for July 19.

Watkinsville is located in Oconee County, about 70 miles west of Atlanta and near Athens.

In an email sent to supporters today, Georgia Equality, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization, asks for people across the state to support Matthews by making donations to to his campaign try to defeat the favored opponent, Republican Chuck Williams.

Georgia Equality states that if Matthews, a Democrat, was to win he would vote in favor of the the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Bill introduced in the last session by openly gay state Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates). The bill seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the nondiscrimination policy for state employees and currently has 70 cosponsors, including 12 Republicans and one Independent.

"As the underdog, Dan Matthews has made huge strides in placing second in this election.That being said, the time is now to go out and support this fair-minded candidate.He has come a very long way and now we need all hands on deck to help push him through the finish line," states the email from Georgia Equality.

Matthews is a single father and was a freelance reporter for the Athens Banner-Herald. He is the chair for the Oconee County Democratic Committee. 
The special election was held for the seat vacated by former state Rep. Hank Huckaby (R-Athens), who resigned to take the post as chancellor for the University of Georgia.

House District 113 includes Oconee County as well as portions of Oglethorpe, Clarke and Morgan counties.

Top photo: Dan Matthews (via Facebook)