Ralston To End Tenure As House Speaker After 12 Years

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is stepping down from his post due to health concerns, the Republican announced Friday.

Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, currently serves as the 73rd Speaker of the House. His tenure ends in January.

He said though he intends to serve as state representative for the 7th House district, he will not seek nomination for House speaker for the 2023-24 legislative session. He is currently unopposed for the seat.

“Serving as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives has been the honor of a lifetime, and I owe a heartfelt thank you to my colleagues for the trust and confidence they placed in me 13 years ago,” Ralston said in a news release.

“I need to take time to address a health challenge which has arisen recently, and the House needs a Speaker who can devote the necessary time and energy to the office. I love the House and want to see the honorable men and women who serve in it succeed. I will work the remainder of my term as Speaker to ensure a smooth transition for my successor.”

Ralston added he is thankful for the support of friends and neighbors in Fannin, Gilmer and Dawson counties.

The House will elect a new speaker when convening Jan. 9, 2023, for the first day of the 2023-24 legislative session.

Ralston was first elected to the House in 2002 and was first elected as Speaker of the House in 2010. He is the longest currently-serving state house speaker in the country, according to the news release.

During his time as speaker, Ralston has lended his legislative efforts toward the Transportation Funding Act of 2015 and the "largest-ever income tax cut in state history," the release said.

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, the release said.

“I want to thank all the staff members who have assisted me throughout the years, particularly my chief of staff, Spiro Amburn, who has been by my side from the beginning,” Ralston said in the release. “I could not have done all of this without the love and support of my family, particularly my wife, Sheree, and our children. They have been my rock, and I love them very much.”