Georgia Democrats make historic nomination for Speaker of the House

by Tim Darnell

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia’s historic election season set the stage for another political first at the state Capitol on Thursday.

The Georgia Democratic legislative caucus announced its nominations and selections for new leadership after last week’s midterms that saw Democrats return to a state House majority for the first time since 2004.

State Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, has been nominated to become the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the Georgia House. State Rep. Billy Mitchell, D-Stone Mountain, has been nominated to serve as Speaker Pro-Tempore.

State Rep. Carolyn Hugley will soon become the first Black female to serve as speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

Formal elections for Hugley and Mitchell will be held on Jan. 11, 2027, the first day of the two-year General Assembly session, before the entire House.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives serves as the presiding officer of the legislative body and its chief administrative leader. The Speaker is responsible for establishing the leadership and membership of House committees, presiding over floor sessions, enforcing House rules, assigning bills to committees and bringing matters to the House floor for debate.

Hugley’s rise comes after a landmark election in which former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Black women also won all but one of Georgia’s elected constitutional offices.

State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat, was elected lieutenant governor.

Lt. Gov.-elect Josh McLaurin goes On the Record With Atlanta News First

Also on Thursday, Democrats announced state Reps. Stacey Evans, D-Atlanta, as Majority Leader; Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville, Majority Whip; Spencer Frye, D-Athens as Caucus Chair; Bryce Berry, D-Atlanta, as Chief Deputy Whip; Imani Barnes, D-Tucker, Caucus Vice-Chair; Anissa Jones, D-Macon, as Caucus Secretary; and Robert Flournoy, D-Hampton, as Caucus Treasurer.

Last week, members of the Georgia Senate Majority Republican Caucus elected their leadership team for the next session. The caucus elected Sens. Larry Walker III, R-Perry, as President Pro Tempore; Jason Anavitarte, R–Dallas, as Senate Majority Leader; Randy Robertson, R–Cataula, as Senate Majority Whip; Tim Bearden, R–Carrollton, as Majority Caucus Chairman; Drew Echols, R–Gainesville, as Majority Caucus Vice Chairman; and Kay Kirkpatrick, R–Marietta, as Majority Caucus Secretary.

Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate, meaning McLaurin will serve as president of a Senate under GOP control.

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