Georgia House Speaker David Ralston dead at 68
Ralston served as Speaker since 2010
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge who held the gavel since 2010, passed away Wednesday after a battle with a “prolonged illness,” his office said. He was 68.
He had recently said that he would not seek another term as Speaker due to a health challenge.
Ralston has been a force in state politics for decades. He was first elected to the State Senate in the 1990s, a time when one could count the number of Republicans in state government on their hands.
But after an unsuccessful run for Georgia Attorney General in 1998, he was elected to the Georgia House representing mountainous North Georgia.
In 2010, he was elected Speaker of the Georgia House. He became the first Speaker from North Georgia in more than 150 years in a Gold Dome that was often dominated by politicians from metro Atlanta and South Georgia.
As Speaker, the Blue Ridge attorney was seen as a stable force in a very turbulent political environment. He oversaw debates on hot-button issues such as religious liberty, medical marijuana and a state takeover of Atlanta’s airport.
He muscled through several bipartisan victories, including a repeal of the state’s citizens arrest statute and an overhaul of the state’s mental health system.
But as a Republican, he was essential in passing some of the party’s biggest priorities, including bans on abortion, stricter election laws, expanding gun rights and banning transgender females from competing in male sporting events.
Tributes to Speaker Ralston poured in from both sides of the aisle. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp called Ralston “a pioneer in the growth of Georgia’s Republican leadership” and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff.
Former Georgia House minority leader Stacey Abrams took to social media to offer her condolences. “Our politics differed, but David never allowed them to permanently divide,” she said. “God’s peace to a great Georgian who will be missed.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
On a personal note, Speaker Ralston and I may have completely different politics but he gracefully steered the legislature through times of trial and triumph. He was a voice of reason and wisdom in a highly politicized environment.
His loss leaves a giant hole, both in the legislature and throughout this state. I hope our future generation of state leaders will have the same level of poise, compassion and respect for our institutions as Speaker Ralston.
Rest in peace, Mr. Speaker. You have spent your entire life fighting tirelessly for the people of this state. And that fight does not end now.
Very informative, Niles!
My condolences to the family!