Senator Ben Watson

Benjamin Luther Watson was born on July 27, 1959, in Twin City, Georgia. He is a Republican who has represented Georgia State Senate District 1 since 2014. District 1 encompasses portions of Chatham and Liberty Counties and all of Bryan County, including areas of Savannah and the islands of Skidaway, Wilmington, and Tybee.

Watson is a primary care physician specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics, having practiced in Savannah since 1988. He is married to Bernice, a Savannah-Chatham Public School teacher, and they have three sons. They reside on Isle of Hope.

Education

Watson is a graduate of Emanuel County Institute and the University of Georgia. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia.

Political Experience

Watson began his legislative career in 2010 when he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, representing Savannah's islands district. During his four years in the House, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, Secretary of the Science and Technology Committee, and member of the Higher Education Committee. He was noted as the only medical doctor serving in the Georgia House of Representatives during his tenure.

In 2014, Watson was elected to the Georgia State Senate, taking over the seat from Buddy Carter, who ran for Congress. Since then, he has held several significant positions, including Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Development. He also serves on the Appropriations, Judiciary, Rules, and Administrative Affairs committees.

Watson's recent legislative accomplishments include addressing Tybee Island-related nuisance legislation, school safety measures, and elderly care initiatives.