Senator Sam Watson represents Georgia's 11th Senate District, which includes Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Grady, Seminole, and Thomas counties. Born Samuel Lawrence Watson on September 19, 1978, he is a farmer and agribusinessman raised on his family farm south of Moultrie, Georgia. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Secretary of the Senate Committee on State and Local Governmental Operations, with additional roles on Appropriations, Economic Development and Tourism, and ex-officio on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and Natural Resources and the Environment. Notable achievements include Georgia Trend's "Movers and Shakers in Agribusiness" , Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce , UGA 40 Under 40 , and Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Agribusiness Council and Georgia Association of Groundwater Professionals .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from Colquitt County High School ; Associate’s Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia.
• Political Experience: Elected to Georgia House of Representatives for District 172 , serving five terms; elected to Georgia Senate in 2023 special election to replace Dean Burke; sworn in February 6, 2023.
• Community and Professional Involvement: Past President of Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association; serves on Colquitt County Farm Bureau Board, Cattlemen’s Association, Young Farmers Association, UGA Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Alumni Board, and Georgia Agribusiness Council; Managing Partner of Chill C Farms; graduate of Leadership Georgia , Leadership Colquitt , and Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum .
• Personal: Married to Emily Howard Watson; father of four daughters; members of Moultrie First Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon.