Special Election To Be Held To Fill Late GA House Speaker's Seat

GEORGIA — A special election in three Georgia counties is being held Tuesday to fill the District 7 seat of the late Georgia House Speaker David Ralston.

Ralston died Nov. 16, 2022, of an "extensive illness," his representatives said at the time. The Republican was the 73rd Speaker of the House and the longest currently-serving state house speaker in the country.

Voters in Fannin, Gilmer and a portion of Dawson counties are heading to the polls to determine who will replace Ralston. His widow, Sheree, put in her bid for the seat shortly after his death.

Other candidates are Johnny Chastain, Justin Heitman, Brian Pritchard and Richie Stone.

If a run-off is needed, it will be held Jan. 31.

Ralston announced Nov. 4, 2022, that he would step down as Speaker of the House due to health concerns, and House Majority Leader Jon Burns was elected to the position Nov. 14, 2022.

During his time as speaker, Ralston lended his legislative efforts toward the Transportation Funding Act of 2015 and the "largest-ever income tax cut in state history." He was also key in the comprehensive adoption form in 2018 and Georgia's first-ever paid parental leave policy state employees and teachers in 2021, according to the Georgia General Assembly in a release following his death.