David Ralston elected House Speaker
Blue Ridge attorney succeeds Glenn Richardson in one of state’s most powerful posts
The Georgia House Republican Caucus has elected state Rep. David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, to succeed Glenn Richardson as the House Speaker.
“First of all you’ve made a country boy real happy,” Ralston said in a short acceptance speech after he was elected by secret ballot. “And you’ve honored me and I thank you very much for that.”
Ralston, an attorney, reached out to the lawmakers he bested in what’s become a competitive and heated race to determine who’d lead the House — and reform the scandal-tinged Republican party.
“Secondly, I need your prayers,” he said. “I wasn’t teasing earlier when I said we have a very big job ahead of us. I need Larry O’Neal, I need Bill Hembree. I need each one of you. ‘Cause we’re gonna get it done. And the last thing I want to say to you now is that, after today, let’s go enjoy Christmas.”
More to come.
(Courtesy House Communications)