Republican politician and American attorney David Ralston held office in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2003 until his demise. Beginning in April 2010, he presided over the House as its 73rd speaker.
Since Tom Murphy, Ralston has served as Speaker of the Georgia General Assembly for the longest amount of time among Republicans.
Ralston has spearheaded economically conservative initiatives, including the state’s first-ever income tax decrease in 2018 and the elimination of the sales tax on manufactured items.
After Ahmaud Arbery was assassinated, Ralston was in charge of promoting the adoption of a state hate crimes law.
Ralston has also passed legislation, most recently the Election Integrity Act of 2021, to enhance Georgia’s voting process.
Republicans like Ralston assert that the purpose of these measures is to increase the state’s voter safety. Opponents contend that the true objective is to diminish voting turnout and disenfranchise voters.
How did David Ralston fare?
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Few days after stepping down as Georgia House speaker, Rep. David Ralston passed away, according to his staff.
According to a tweet from Ralston’s communications director Kaleb McMichen, Speaker David Ralston, the 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, passed away today following a lengthy illness.
He said that in his 68th year, he died with family members, including his loving wife Sheree.
How did David Ralston fare?
Calvin Smyre, the Democratic Caucus Dean, claims that a big pine tree has died in the Georgia House of Representatives.
I worked closely with Speaker David Ralston, a friend, on several Georgia-related issues. His leadership will be much missed.
During these tough times, the Ralston family is in my thoughts and prayers. Speaker Ralston passed away today, and House Democratic Leader James Beverly expressed his sorrow and loss.
I am beyond words in my sadness for his family, his friends, the great state of Georgia, and especially for the House. Without a doubt, he was a real friend and a giant among men.
Illness And Health Problems of David Ralston Before Death
Republican from Blue Ridge Ralston has been ailing for some time. However, a succinct explanation of the ailment is still pending.
According to his office, he died away in the company of his wife Sheree, his children, and other family members.
Ralston said early last week that he will not run for re-election as speaker of the House by his House colleagues, citing his health.
He was unopposedly reelected on November 8 by residents of Georgia’s Northwest 7th House District.
Ralston held the record for serving the longest as a state House speaker after passing away.
By the Georgia Constitution, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, a Republican from Milton, will preside over the remaining months of the current term, which ends in January.
On Monday, it was suggested that Ralston be replaced as speaker by Jon Burns, a Newington, Connecticut, Republican, and the House Majority Leader.
The full House will vote on the nominee on January 9, which is the first day of the 2023 General Assembly session.
Ralston was selected as a speaker at the start of the 2010 parliamentary session. He has been a member of the House since 2003.
He spent the 1990s serving six years in the state Senate before leaving office in 1998 to make an unsuccessful bid for attorney general.
On Wednesday, Ralston was honored as a successful Leader by political figures who collaborated with him on significant pieces of legislation that the General Assembly approved while he was in office.
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