New Leadership in the House of Representatives

2/2/2010

The Georgia Legislature was called into session on January 11, 2010. The first order of business in the House of Representatives was to elect a new Speaker and Speaker Pro-Tempore. Speaker Pro-Tempore Mark Burkhalter, R-Johns Creek, was serving as the interim Speaker. Burkhalter declined to offer for Speaker for the session’s duration due to business commitments that would have prohibited him from dedicating the time required. Representative David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, was elected to replace Glenn Richardson, R-Paulding County, as Speaker of the House. Speaker Ralston praised Burkhalter for his service as Pro-Tempore and his handling of the dynamic situation leading up to the elections.

Additionally, the Georgia House of Representatives made history by electing Representative Jan Jones, R-Milton, to the job of Speaker Pro-Tempore. Representative Jones is the highest ranking women ever in the Georgia Legislature. Congratulations to Jan Jones, my friend from Milton.