Eisspeedway

157th Georgia General Assembly

157th Georgia General Assembly
156th 158th
Great Seal of the State of Georgia
Overview
Legislative bodyGeorgia General Assembly
Meeting placeGeorgia State Capitol
Senate
Members
Senate PresidentBurt Jones (R)
Party controlRepublican Party
House of Representatives
Members
Speaker of the HouseJon G. Burns (R)
Party controlRepublican Party
Sessions
1stJanuary 9, 2023 (2023-01-09) – March 29, 2023 (2023-03-29)
2ndJanuary 8, 2024 (2024-01-08) – April 28, 2024 (2024-04-28)
Special sessions
RedistrictingNovember 28, 2023 (2023-11-28) – December 7, 2023 (2023-12-07)

The 157th Georgia General Assembly consisted of two sessions of the Georgia General Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the first in 2023 and the second in 2024.[1] It convened its first session on January 9, 2023 at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta,[2] which adjourned sine die on March 29; as stipulated in the Constitution of Georgia, the General Assembly can only hold a session "for a period of no longer than 40 days in the aggregate each year".[3]

The Assembly's members were elected in the 2022 State Senate and State House elections.

On October 26, 2023, a special session was called by Governor Brian Kemp for November 28, 2023, to redraw congressional and legislative maps which were approved in the previous General Assembly.

During the first session, March 6, 2023 was "Crossover Day", the informal name for the date by which bills must have passed through one chamber in order to remain on track to become law.[2]

Activity

Governor Brian Kemp's floor leaders for the 2023 and 2024 sessions are senators Bo Hatchett and Mike Hodges, and representatives Matthew Gambill, Soo Hong, Lauren McDonald, and Will Wade.[4]

Legislation

In late January 2023, Democratic lawmakers Sally Harrell and Shea Roberts introduced twin bills — S.B. 15 and H.B. 75, both described as "long-shot legislation" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution — that would repeal Georgia's 2019 anti-abortion law and add abortion protections to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.[5]

Representative John Carson sponsored H.B. 54, to increase Georgia's Qualified Education Expense Credit program cap from $120 million to $200 million.[6]

Representative Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) introduced the Okefenokee Protection Act (H.B. 71),[7] intended to help protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining projects. The bill attracted bipartisan support from Buddy DeLoach and Mary Frances Williams, among about 36 others.[8] Taylor had filed an ultimately unsuccessful similar bill in the previous assembly.[8]

Sports betting

Sports betting was federally banned in the US by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 until the Supreme Court struck down the law in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (2018), allowing each state to regulate sports gambling. Governor Kemp had been opposed to legalizing betting in the past, but changed his position in 2023.[9]

Several bills regarding sports betting were introduced during the 2023 session.[9]

Post-sine die

Governor Brian Kemp issued his first veto of the 2023 session on April 4, putting a stop to H.B. 319, which would have required the General Assembly to approve any University System of Georgia tuition hikes of over 3%. Kemp issued a statement noting that the "Georgia Constitution makes plain the authority to govern, control, and manage the University System and all system institutions is vested in the Board of Regents".[a] H.B. 319 had passed the House by a vote of 160–1 and the Senate unanimously; the tuition measure had been added on the last day of the legislative session to the bill, which originally aimed to abolish the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation.[10]

On October 26, 2023, a special session was called by Governor Brian Kemp for November 28, 2023,[11] to redraw congressional and legislative maps which were approved in the previous General Assembly, following a ruling earlier in the day federal district judge Steve C. Jones that some districts in the U.S. House, Georgia Senate and Georgia House violated the Voting Rights Act.[12]

Composition

The lawmakers comprising the 157th Assembly were the most diverse in Georgia's history. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution counted 83 non-white members out of 236; 151 are white, 68 are black, 8 are AAPI, five are Hispanic, two are Afro-Latino, and one is Arab. Additionally, there were 81 women in the chamber.[13]

State Senate

Special elections

Governor Brian Kemp chose state senator Dean Burke to be chief medical officer of the Georgia Department of Community Health in December 2022.[14] Burke resigned on December 31, and an election to fill the Senate District 11 seat was scheduled for January 31, 2023. Three candidates qualified for the election: John H. Monds (L), Sam Watson (R),[15] and Mary Weaver-Anderson (D).[16] Watson won the election easily.[17]

Party composition

Map of current partisan composition of legislative districts for the State Senate:
  Democratic senator
  Republican senator
Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
End of 155th Assembly 35 21 56 0
End of 156th Assembly 34 22 56 0
Beginning of 157th Assembly 33 23 56 0
Latest voting share 59% 41%

Membership

As of March 2023, the Georgia State Senate is composed of 56 members:[18]

District Senator Party Since Residence
1 Ben Watson Republican 2015 Savannah
2 Derek Mallow Democratic 2023 Savannah
3 Mike Hodges Republican 2023 Brunswick
4 Billy Hickman Republican 2020 Statesboro
5 Sheikh Rahman Democratic 2019 Lawrenceville
6 Jason Esteves Democratic 2023 Atlanta
7 Nabilah Islam Democratic 2023 Lawrenceville
8 Russ Goodman Republican 2021 Cogdell
9 Nikki Merritt Democratic 2021 Grayson
10 Emanuel Jones Democratic 2005 Ellenwood
11 Sam Watson Republican 2023 Moultrie
12 Freddie Sims Democratic 2009 Dawson
13 Carden Summers Republican 2020 Cordele
14 Josh McLaurin Democratic 2023 Sandy Springs
15 Ed Harbison Democratic 1993 Columbus
16 Marty Harbin Republican 2015 Tyrone
17 Brian Strickland Republican 2018 McDonough
18 John F. Kennedy Republican 2015 Macon
19 Blake Tillery Republican 2017 Vidalia
20 Larry Walker III Republican 2015 Kathleen
21 Brandon Beach Republican 2013 Alpharetta
22 Harold V. Jones II Democratic 2015 Augusta
23 Max Burns Republican 2021 Sylvania
24 Lee Anderson Republican 2017 Grovetown
25 Rick Williams Republican 2023 Milledgeville
26 David Lucas Democratic 2013 Macon
27 Greg Dolezal Republican 2019 Cumming
28 Matt Brass Republican 2017 Newnan
29 Randy Robertson Republican 2019 Cataula
30 Mike Dugan Republican 2013 Carrollton
31 Jason Anavitarte Republican 2021 Dallas
32 Kay Kirkpatrick Republican 2017 Marietta
33 Michael Rhett Democratic 2015 Marietta
34 Valencia Seay Democratic 2003 Riverdale
35 Donzella James Democratic 2009 College Park
36 Nan Orrock Democratic 2007 Atlanta
37 Ed Setzler Republican 2023 Acworth
38 Horacena Tate Democratic 1999 Atlanta
39 Sonya Halpern Democratic 2021 Atlanta
40 Sally Harrell Democratic 2019 Chamblee
41 Kim Jackson Democratic 2021 Stone Mountain
42 Elena Parent Democratic 2015 Atlanta
43 Tonya Anderson Democratic 2017 Lithonia
44 Gail Davenport Democratic 2011 Jonesboro
45 Clint Dixon Republican 2021 Buford
46 Bill Cowsert Republican 2007 Athens
47 Frank Ginn Republican 2011 Royston
48 Shawn Still Republican 2023 Norcross
49 Shelly Echols Republican 2023 Alto
50 Bo Hatchett Republican 2021 Cornelia
51 Steve Gooch Republican 2011 Dahlonega
52 Chuck Hufstetler Republican 2013 Rome
53 Colton Moore Republican 2023 Trenton
54 Chuck Payne Republican 2017 Dalton
55 Gloria Butler Democratic 1999 Stone Mountain
56 John Albers Republican 2011 Roswell

House of Representatives

Special elections

After former speaker David Ralston's resignation and death, a special election was held on January 3, 2023 to fill the seat in House District 7. Since no candidate reached a vote threshold of 50%,[b] a runoff between Sheree Ralston, David Ralston's widow,[20] and Johnny Chastain — both members of the Fannin County Development Authority — was held on January 31, 2023;[21] in an upset,[22] Chastain defeated Ralston.[23]

House District 119's previous representative Terry England did not seek reelection in 2022. After winning unopposed in the general election, former Barrow County Chamber of Commerce chair Danny Rampey was arrested in December 2022 and charged with stealing prescription medications.[24] Bowing to pressure from the state Republican party, Rampey announced he would not take office, and Governor Kemp scheduled a special election to be held on January 31, 2023.[25] No candidate won a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on February 28 between Republicans Holt Persinger and Charlie Chase;[23] Persinger won the runoff.[26]

State representative Sam Watson resigned from his seat in House District 172 in order to run for the newly-open spot in State Senate District 11.[27] A special election was held on January 31, 2023; the only candidate to qualify for the ballot was Colquitt County administrator Charles Cannon.[28][23]

Democratic member Mike Glanton of District 75 resigned on January 24, 2023 for health reasons;[29] a special election was held on March 21, 2023 to fill the seat.[30] Eric Bell II was elected to fill the seat.[31]

Democratic representative Tish Naghise died on March 8, 2023; she had represented the 68th District.[32] Former Representative Derrick Jackson was elected to fill the seat.[33]

Party composition

Map of partisan composition of the Georgia House of Representatives as of July 13, 2023:
  Democratic representative
  Republican representative
  Vacant
Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
End of 155th General Assembly 105 74 179 1[c]
End of 156th General Assembly 103 76 179 1
Beginning of 157th General Assembly 101 79 180 0
July 11, 2023[35] 102 78 180 0
Latest voting share 57% 43%

Membership

As of July 2023, the membership of the House is as follows:[36]

District Representative Party Since Residence
1 Mike Cameron Republican 2021 Rossville
2 Steve Tarvin Republican 2014 Chickamauga
3 Mitchell Horner Republican 2023 Ringgold
4 Kasey Carpenter Republican 2017 Dalton
5 Matt Barton Republican 2019 Calhoun
6 Jason Ridley Republican 2017 Chatsworth
7 Johnny Chastain Republican 2023 Blue Ridge
8 Stan Gunter Republican 2021 Blairsville
9 Will Wade Republican 2013 Dawsonville
10 Victor Anderson Republican 2021 Cornelia
11 Rick Jasperse Republican 2010 Jasper
12 Eddie Lumsden Republican 2013 Rome
13 Katie Dempsey Republican 2007 Rome
14 Mitchell Scoggins Republican 2019 Rydal
15 Matthew Gambill Republican 2019 Cartersville
16 Trey Kelley Republican 2013 Cedartown
17 Martin Momtahan Republican 2019 Dallas
18 Tyler Smith Republican 2021 Bremen
19 Joseph Gullett Republican 2019 Dallas
20 Charlice Byrd Republican 2013 Woodstock
21 Brad Thomas Republican 2013 Woodstock
22 Jordan Ridley Republican 2023 Woodstock
23 Mandi Ballinger Republican 2013 Canton
24 Carter Barrett Republican 2023 Cumming
25 Todd Jones Republican 2017 Cumming
26 Lauren McDonald Republican 2021 Cumming
27 Lee Hawkins Republican 2013 Gainesville
28 Brent Cox Republican 2023 Dawsonville
29 Matt Dubnik Republican 2017 Gainesville
30 Derrick McCollum Republican 2023 Chestnut Mountain
31 Emory Dunahoo Republican 2011 Gillsville
32 Chris Erwin Republican 2023 Homer
33 Alan Powell Republican 1991 Hartwell
34 Devan Seabaugh Republican 2021 Marietta
35 Lisa Campbell Democratic 2023 Kennesaw
36 Ginny Ehrhart Republican 2019 Powder Springs
37 Mary Frances Williams Democratic 2019 Marietta
38 David Wilkerson Democratic 2011 Powder Springs
39 Terry Cummings Democratic 2023 Mableton
40 Doug Stoner Democratic 2023 Smyrna
41 Michael Smith Democratic 2013 Marietta
42 Teri Anulewicz Democratic 2017 Smyrna
43 Solomon Adesanya Democratic 2023 Marietta
44 Don Parsons Republican 1995 Marietta
45 Sharon Cooper Republican 1997 Marietta
46 John Carson Republican 2011 Roswell
47 Jan Jones Republican 2003 Alpharetta
48 Scott Hilton Republican 2023 Peachtree Corners
49 Chuck Martin Republican 2003 Alpharetta
50 Michelle Au Democratic 2021 Johns Creek
51 Esther Panitch Democratic 2023 Sandy Springs
52 Shea Roberts Democratic 2021 Sandy Springs
53 Deborah Silcox Republican 2023 Sandy Springs
54 Betsy Holland Democratic 2019 Atlanta
55 Inga Willis Democratic 2023 Atlanta
56 Mesha Mainor Republican 2021 Atlanta
57 Stacey Evans Democratic 2021 Atlanta
58 Park Cannon Democratic 2016 Atlanta
59 Phil Olaleye Democratic 2023 Atlanta
60 Sheila Jones Democratic 2005 Atlanta
61 Roger Bruce Democratic 2003 Atlanta
62 Tanya F. Miller Democratic 2023 Atlanta
63 Kim Schofield Democratic 2017 Atlanta
64 Kimberly New Republican 2023 Villa Rica
65 Mandisha Thomas Democratic 2021 Atlanta
66 Kimberly Alexander Democratic 2013 Douglasville
67 Lydia Glaize Democratic 2023 Fairburn
68 Derrick Jackson Democratic 2023 Tyrone
69 Debra Bazemore Democratic 2017 South Fulton
70 Lynn Smith Republican 1997 Newnan
71 J. Collins Republican 2017 Villa Rica
72 David Huddleston Republican 2023 Roopville
73 Josh Bonner Republican 2017 Fayetteville
74 Karen Mathiak Republican 2023 Griffin
75 Eric Bell II Democratic 2023 Jonesboro
76 Sandra Scott Democratic 2011 Rex
77 Rhonda Burnough Democratic 2017 Riverdale
78 Demetrius Douglas Democratic 2013 Jonesboro
79 Yasmin Neal Democratic 2011 Morrow
80 Long Tran Democratic 2023 Dunwoody
81 Scott Holcomb Democratic 2011 Atlanta
82 Mary Margaret Oliver Democratic 2003 Atlanta
83 Karen Lupton Democratic 2023 Chamblee
84 Omari Crawford Democratic 2023 Decatur
85 Karla Drenner Democratic 2001 Avondale Estates
86 Imani Barnes Democratic 2023 Tucker
87 Viola Davis Democratic 2019 Stone Mountain
88 Billy Mitchell Democratic 2003 Lithonia
89 Becky Evans Democratic 2023 Atlanta
90 Saira Draper Democratic 2023 Atlanta
91 Angela Moore Democratic 2021 Lithonia
92 Rhonda Taylor Democratic 2021 Conyers
93 Doreen Carter Democratic 2015 Lithonia
94 Karen Bennett Democratic 2013 Stone Mountain
95 Dar'shun Kendrick Democratic 2023 Lithonia
96 Pedro Marin Democratic 2003 Duluth
97 Ruwa Romman Democratic 2023 Duluth
98 Marvin Lim Democratic 2021 Norcross
99 Matt Reeves Republican 2023 Duluth
100 David Clark Republican 2015 Sugar Hill
101 Gregg Kennard Democratic 2017 Lawrenceville
102 Gabe Okoye Democratic 2017 Lawrenceville
103 Soo Hong Republican 2023 Lawrenceville
104 Chuck Efstration Republican 2013 Auburn
105 Farooq Mughal Democratic 2023 Dacula
106 Shelly Hutchinson Democratic 2019 Snellville
107 Sam Park Democratic 2023 Lawrenceville
108 Jasmine Clark Democratic 2019 Lilburn
109 Dewey McClain Democratic 2023 Lawrenceville
110 Segun Adeyina Democratic 2023 Grayson
111 Reynaldo Martinez Republican 2023 Loganville
112 Bruce Williamson Republican 2023 Monroe
113 Sharon Henderson Democratic 2021 Covington
114 Tim Fleming Republican 2023 Covington
115 Regina Lewis-Ward Democratic 2023 McDonough
116 El-Mahdi Holly Democratic 2023 Stockbridge
117 Lauren Daniel Republican 2023 Locust Grove
118 Clint Crowe Republican 2023 Jackson
119 Holt Persinger Republican 2023 Winder
120 Houston Gaines Republican 2019 Athens
121 Marcus Wiedower Republican 2019 Watkinsville
122 Spencer Frye Democratic 2023 Athens
123 Rob Leverett Republican 2023 Elberton
124 Trey Rhodes Republican 2015 Greensboro
125 Barry Fleming Republican 2013 Harlem
126 Gloria Frazier Democratic 2007 Hephzibah
127 Mark Newton Republican 2023 Augusta
128 Mack Jackson Democratic 2009 Sandersville
129 Karlton Howard Democratic 2023 Augusta
130 Lynn Gladney Democratic 2023 Augusta
131 Jodi Lott Republican 2023 Evans
132 Brian Prince Democratic 2023 Augusta
133 Kenneth Vance Republican 2023 Milledgeville
134 David Knight Republican 2005 Griffin
135 Beth Camp Republican 2021 Concord
136 David Jenkins Republican 2021 Grantville
137 Debbie Buckner Democratic 2003 Junction City
138 Vance Smith Republican 2019 Hamilton
139 Vacant
140 Tremaine Teddy Reese Democratic 2023 Columbus
141 Carolyn Hugley Democratic 1993 Columbus
142 Miriam Paris Democratic 2017 Macon
143 James Beverly Democratic 2011 Macon
144 Dale Washburn Republican 2019 Macon
145 Robert Dickey Republican 2011 Musella
146 Shaw Blackmon Republican 2015 Kathleen
147 Bethany Ballard Republican 2023 Warner Robins
148 Noel Williams Jr. Republican 2019 Cordele
149 Danny Mathis Republican 2011 Cochran
150 Patty Bentley Democratic 2013 Butler
151 Mike Cheokas Republican 2023 Americus
152 Bill Yearta Republican 2019 Sylvester
153 David Sampson Democratic 2023 Albany
154 Gerald Greene Republican 2023 Cuthbert
155 Matt Hatchett Republican 2023 Dublin
156 Leesa Hagan Republican 2021 Lyons
157 Bill Werkheiser Republican 2015 Glennville
158 Butch Parrish Republican 1985 Swainsboro
159 Jon G. Burns Republican 2005 Newington
160 Lehman Franklin Republican 2023 Statesboro
161 Bill Hitchens Republican 2013 Rincon
162 Carl Gilliard Democratic 2016 Garden City
163 Anne Allen Westbrook Democratic 2023 Savannah
164 Ron Stephens Republican 1997 Richmond Hill
165 Edna Jackson Democratic 2021 Savannah
166 Jesse Petrea Republican 2015 Savannah
167 Buddy DeLoach Republican 2021 Townsend
168 Al Williams Democratic 2003 Midway
169 Clay Pirkle Republican 2023 Ashburn
170 Penny Houston Republican 1997 Nashville
171 Joe Campbell Republican 2020 Camilla
172 Charles Cannon Republican 2023 Moultrie
173 Darlene Taylor Republican 2011 Thomasville
174 John Corbett Republican 2015 Lake Park
175 John LaHood Republican 2018 Valdosta
176 James Burchett Republican 2019 Millwood
177 Dexter Sharper Democratic 2013 Valdosta
178 Steven Meeks Republican 2019 Screven
179 Rick Townsend Republican 2023 St. Simons
180 Steven Sainz Republican 2019 Woodbine

See also

References and notes

  1. ^ "Session Summary – 1st Session of the 157th Biennium of the General Assembly of Georgia, 2023" (PDF). Georgia General Assembly. Office of Legislative Counsel. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Prabhu, Maya T.; Niesse, Mark (January 8, 2023). "What you need to know about Georgia's General Assembly". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  3. ^ "Constitution of the State of Georgia" (PDF). Georgia State Senate.
  4. ^ Rowland, Hank (January 19, 2023). "Sen. Hodges named as one of Kemp's floor leaders". The Brunswick News.
  5. ^ Prabhu, Maya T. (January 24, 2023). "Georgia Democrats push measures to allow abortions in any instance". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  6. ^ Tagami, Ty (January 24, 2023). "Renewed push to expand Georgia's private school tuition subsidies". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  7. ^ "Rep. Darlene Taylor Introduces Okefenokee Protection Act to Prohibit Future Mining Permits for Swamp's Trail Ridge". All On Georgia. January 26, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Nolin, Jill (January 25, 2023). "Georgia GOP lawmaker pushes bill to protect 'vital and precious' Okefenokee from new mining proposals". Georgia Recorder.
  9. ^ a b Prabhu, Maya T. (March 6, 2023). "Sports betting bills stall in Georgia Legislature". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  10. ^ McCray, Vanessa (4 April 2023). "Kemp vetoes bill requiring lawmaker approval for college tuition hikes". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  11. ^ "Kemp schedules special session after judge orders redistricting". FOX 5 Atlanta. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  12. ^ "Federal judge rules Georgia's district lines violated Voting Rights Act and must be redrawn – CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  13. ^ Prabhu, Maya T. (11 April 2023). "Diverse Georgia Legislature made for awkward moments, learning experiences". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  14. ^ "Georgia senator quits for state job, prison chief steps down". Fox 5 Atlanta. December 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "Advance voting now in progress in State Senate special election". Donalsonville News. January 12, 2023.
  16. ^ Shields, Malcolm (January 11, 2023). "Qualified candidates for vacated S.W. Georgia State Senator District 11 seat set for special election". WTXL.
  17. ^ "Georgia Election Results 2023". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 31, 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Senators (2023–24 Regular Session)". Georgia State Senate. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  19. ^ "January 3, 2023 House District 7 – Special Election". Georgia Secretary of State.
  20. ^ Lowry, Donna (December 6, 2022). "Sheree Ralston qualifies to fill district seat held by her late husband". GPB.
  21. ^ Hansen, Julia (January 4, 2023). "Special election for Georgia's House District 7 seat will head to a runoff". Dawson County News.
  22. ^ Bluestein, Greg (February 2, 2023). "'Grassroots rising.' Behind an upset defeat in North Georgia". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  23. ^ a b c Niesse, Mark (January 31, 2023). "Chastain wins race for former Speaker Ralston's Georgia House seat". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  24. ^ "Newly elected Georgia House member facing drug charges withdraws from office". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "New Georgia House member arrested on drug and theft charges". Associated Press. December 16, 2022.
  26. ^ "Persinger beats fellow Republican in Georgia House election". AP News. February 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Williams, Dave (December 23, 2022). "Georgia Rep. Sam Watson resigns to seek vacant state Senate seat". Capitol Beat.
  28. ^ Hall, Kevin C. (December 30, 2022). "2 Cairo residents qualify for state Senate seat". The Moultrie Observer.
  29. ^ Middleton, Heather (January 25, 2023). "Rep. Mike Glanton resigns House seat for health reasons". Clayton News Daily.
  30. ^ Niesse, Mark (January 24, 2023). "Jonesboro's Glanton resigns, creating 5th vacancy in Georgia General Assembly". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  31. ^ "Bell wins Georgia House seat; Clayton sheriff set for runoff". Associated Press News. 21 March 2023.
  32. ^ Niesse, Mark (March 8, 2023). "Georgia state Rep. Tish Naghise dies". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "Rep. Derrick Jackson sworn in for 2023–2024 legislative term". The Citizen. July 3, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  34. ^ Prabhu, Maya T. "Lithonia Democratic lawmaker resigns from Georgia House". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  35. ^ Vigdor, Neil (12 July 2023). "Democrat's Defection Gives Georgia G.O.P. First Black Woman in State House". The New York Times.
  36. ^ "Representatives (2023–2024 Regular Session)". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  1. ^ Ga. Const. art. VIII, § IV, para. (b).
  2. ^ Sheree Ralston got 3,582 votes (45.02%), and Johnny Chastain got 3,125 votes (39.28%).[19]
  3. ^ Rep. Pam Stephenson resigned on September 10, 2020 and remained on the ballot in the 2020 general election unopposed. The seat is still vacant at the beginning of the 156th General Assembly pending a special election.[34]