Sam Zamarripa, chairman of the Latin American Association in Atlanta, is running for the state Senate in an Atlanta district.

            He is seeking the District 36 seat now occupied by David Scott who said he will run for U.S. Congress in the newly created District 13.

            A Democrat, Mr. Zamarripa is likely to face opposition in the party primary to replace Mr. Scott, a senator for nearly 30 years and chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee.

The seat represents multi-ethnic neighborhoods and businesses from southeast to northeast Atlanta, including the downtown business district.

During a telephone interview last week, Mr. Zamarripa told GlobalFax that what is good for his district’s diverse constituents will also make good business sense, referring to tackling immigration and diversity issues.

He said that combining the efforts of local ethnic organizations and multinational chambers of commerce could help Atlanta’s claims as an international business center by forging business ties across continents.

With an eye to gaining the support of Atlanta’s Asian American communities, Mr. Zamarripa said Steve Choi, president of the Asian-American Coalition, an umbrella organization of Asian entities here, has agreed to serve on his campaign committee.

Mr. Zamarripa said that he would promote Atlanta’s international business development by encouraging more collaboration between local companies doing business in Chinese and Latin American markets.

Meanwhile, he is campaigning as a spokesman for immigration and diversity issues in his district. “These issues are going to be increasingly important in Georgia as ethnic communities grow,” he added. “What we do for one group can benefit others.”

Mr. Zamarripa will discuss his international vision for Georgia during a meeting of the Georgia Hispanic Network, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m., at La Paz Restaurant in Vinings.

Mr. Zamarripa has had a long career in linking Atlanta and Latin American business through his positions in several consulting and investment firms, as well as on boards of directors of various public-private commissions and chambers of commerce.

The Georgia Hispanic Network is an organization of Hispanic professionals dedicated to providing career development opportunities for its members and performing community service in the metro Atlanta area.

The Jan. 30 event is free of charge. Contact the network at ghnet13@hotmail.com or (404) 636-9917 for more information.