Chuck Payne is a Republican Georgia State Senator representing District 54, which covers Murray, Whitfield, and portions of Gordon counties. Elected in 2017, he has chaired the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security, and served as vice chairman of the Senate Committees on Education and Youth, and Science and Technology. He also acts as secretary of the Senate Committee on Higher Education and ex-officio member on the Committees on Children and Families and Public Safety.

Born December 22, 1964, Payne served four years in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, where he met his wife, Angie Sellers; they married in January 1988 and settled in Dalton, Georgia. He dedicated 30 years to the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, assisting troubled youth and families until retiring on October 31, 2016. Payne has volunteered extensively with youth sports and local Republican organizations, including as chairman of the Whitfield County Republican Party and vice-chair of GA-9th and GA-14th Congressional District Republican Parties.

Education and Political Experience

Education details are not specified in available records. Politically, Payne's experience includes over 26 years of involvement with the Georgia Republican Party, emphasizing "Principle above politics." Notable positions include his committee leadership roles since 2017 and civic leadership in county and congressional district GOP organizations. In early 2025, he faced censure from the Whitfield County and 14th Congressional District Republican Parties over support for certain legislation.