By Ashley Speagle
Correspondent
ATLANTA, Ga. — While several North Georgia lawmakers wouldn’t say whom they will support today in a House Republican caucus vote for speaker, several mentioned the same name.
David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge.
“I’m for Ralston,” said Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun. “He’s been in the state Senate, he ran for Georgia attorney general, and he conducts himself very well in and out of the House.”
Republicans are trying to choose a replacement for Speaker Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram, who will resign Jan. 1 after a reported suicide attempt, an admission of depression and allegations of an affair with a lobbyist. The speaker’s election also is Jan. 1.
Other announced candidates are Larry O’Neal, R-Bonaire, and Bill Hembree, R-Winston. Rep. Tommy Smith, R-Nicholls, dropped out Friday, according to published reports.
“They all have the qualifications,” said Rep. Tom Weldon, R-Ringgold. “The one thing that distinguishes Ralston is he ran against the speaker last year. He’s the one that stood up when nobody else did.”
Rep. Ralston challenged Rep. Richardson for the speaker’s seat in November 2008 but lost in the House Republican caucus vote.
“I voted for David Ralston last year for speaker,” said Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville. “Richardson knew that; he and I were certainly at odds.”
Rep. Richardson last year retaliated against some North Georgia lawmakers, including Reps. Scott, Meadows and Tom Graves of Ranger, when his handpicked candidate for the state Transportation Board for the district was defeated in a House vote.
“We need a leader that has impeccable character, one who has no history of relationship issues or legislative favors for friends,” said Rep. Jay Neal, R-LaFayette, who said Wednesday he didn’t want reveal his preference.
“You’ll see more effort to be that servant leader that can say ‘follow me’ rather than, ‘I’m the leader and you’ll do this or there’ll be consequences,’” Rep. Neal said.
Consequences came immediately after the speaker’s candidate for the Transportation Board was defeated in February 2008.
Rep. Meadows, R-Calhoun, was stripped of his positions as vice chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and secretary of the Insurance Committee.
Rep. Graves was removed from all his officer posts on his assigned committees and kicked out of his prime Capitol office.
Rep. Scott lost a subcommittee chairmanship on the Ways and Means committee.
“There were a few of us that bugged the system and paid the price,” Rep. Scott said Wednesday.
Rep. Scott said he wants to hear the candidates’ speeches before saying whom he’ll support, but he said he wants someone who will uphold Republican values.
“We need someone above reproach, who matches up with values of my district, including right to life, sound fiscal management and lower taxes,” Rep. Scott said.
He said the new leader may abolish the “hawk” system that lets the speaker appoint representatives who can sit in on committee meetings and vote on bills.
Rep. Meadows said he believes any of the candidates will be able to unite House Republicans after years of what he called broken communication and after publicity over Rep. Richardson’s problems that threw “a blanket of suspicion on both parties.”
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