Burns To Replace Ralston As GA House Speaker

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia will soon have a new House speaker.

According to Atlanta News First, House Majority Leader Jon Burns was elected to the state position Monday.

Burns, a Republican, serves District 159, which includes Screven County and parts of Effingham and Bulloch counties. He is currently in his eighth term.

He follows State Rep. David Ralston, a Republican who announced in early November that he is stepping down in January as House speaker due to health concerns. He is the 73rd Speaker of the House.

"Speaker Ralston has been a faithful leader and servant to our members and to the citizens of Georgia," Burns wrote in a statement shortly after Ralston's announcement.

"This announcement is no doubt a testimony for his selflessness and devotion to the good of this state. As speaker, he has had a monumental impact on Georgia through his strong, common-sense leadership. It has been my great honor to have served under Speaker Ralston's leadership. But beyond that, I am immensely grateful for his unwavering friendship. He and his family will remain my thoughts and prayers during this time of healing."

Ralston said before the midterm elections he would continue being state representative for District 7, if re-elected. He ran unopposed and will begin another term.