Chuck Payne

Charles F. Payne (born December 22, 1964) is an American politician who has served in the Georgia State Senate from the 54th district since 2017. Payne, a Republican, was first elected to serve as the State Senator for the 54th district in January 2017. Payne serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee, Ex-Officio of the Senate Public Safety Committee, Secretary of the Senate Finance Committee, Secretary of the Senate Higher Education Committee and Secretary of the Senate State Institutions and Property Committee.^{[citation needed]} Payne also serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Sub-Committee on issues pertaining to Ad Valorem Taxes. ^{[citation needed]}

Payne served four years (1984-1988) in the Army and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. ^{[citation needed]} It was during this time that he met Angie Sellers, and they were married in January 1988. In that same year, they moved back to Dalton and Payne began his 30-year career of public service with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.^{[citation needed]} Payne retired on October 31, 2016.^{[citation needed]}

Payne has served as Chairman of the Whitfield County Republican Party of Georgia throughout the years of 1997-2005 and 2013-2016.^{[citation needed]} He was also elected among his peers to serve as Vice-Chair of both the GA-9th Congressional District Republican Party (2009) and the GA-14th District Republican Party (2010-2013).^{[citation needed]}

Payne and his wife, Angie, have two children. In March 2019, their family welcomed the birth of their first grandchild.^[1][2]

In early 2025, Georgia State Senator Chuck Payne faced formal censure from both the Whitfield County Republican Party and the 14th Congressional District Republican Party.^[3] The Whitfield County GOP unanimously passed a resolution on March 22, citing Payne's support for legislation they deemed contrary to conservative principles, including Senate Bill 68 (tort reform), House Bill 206 (environmental regulations), and a vote against Senate Bill 57 (the Freedom of Speech & Belief Act). Subsequently, on April 26, the 14th Congressional District GOP adopted an identical resolution, expressing disapproval of Payne's legislative decisions and calling for a renewed commitment to conservative values. ^{[4] [5]}

The resolution of censure states:

“'A RESOLUTION CENSURING GEORGIA STATE SENATOR CHUCK PAYNE FOR A PATTERN OF LEGISLATIVE MISCONDUCT'

WHEREAS, State Senator Chuck Payne, entrusted with representing the citizens of Georgia with integrity and sound judgment, has engaged in a consistent pattern of actions and votes contrary to the interests and values of his constituents and;

WHEREAS, Senator Payne sponsored Senate Bill 68, a controversial Tort Reform bill, that undermines the ability of Georgia citizens to hold corporations and negligent actors accountable, placing undue burdens on victims seeking justice in the courts and;

WHEREAS, Senator Payne voted YES on House Bill 206, also known as the Georgia Green New Deal, which has been widely criticized for implementing heavy-handed environmental mandates and economic interventions that jeopardize Georgia’s energy independence, small businesses, and working families and;

WHEREAS, Senator Payne voted YES on Senate Bill 144, legislation that shields certain companies from liability, effectively denying Georgia citizens recourse when harmed by unsafe or negligent chemical use, thereby prioritizing corporate protection over public health and safety and;

WHEREAS, Senator Payne voted YES on House Bill 111, a block tax cut package that disproportionately benefits large corporations and wealthier interests, while risking critical underfunding of public services relied upon by hardworking Georgians and;

WHEREAS, most alarming, Senator Payne voted NO on Senate Bill 57, the Freedom of Speech & Belief Act, a vital measure designed to safeguard and reaffirm constitutional liberties at a time when such rights are increasingly under attack and;

WHEREAS, this pattern of votes and sponsorship demonstrates a clear departure from the principles of accountability, public service, and the defense of individual freedoms expected from Republican members of the Georgia General Assembly.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whitfield County Republican Party hereby formally and publicly censures Senator Chuck Payne for actions that undermine the rights, safety, and well-being of the people of Georgia;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be recorded in the official records of this body, delivered to Senator Payne, and made available to the public as a statement of disapproval and a call for renewed commitment to unseat Senator Payne from office."^[6]