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Ralston re-elected speaker as Georgia Legislature opens

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston waves after being re-elected on the first day of the legislative session in the House Chamber of the State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Atlanta.
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston waves after being re-elected on the first day of the legislative session in the House Chamber of the State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Atlanta. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston waves after being re-elected on the first day of the legislative session in the House Chamber of the State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Atlanta.

By Associated Press 1 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia House Speaker David Ralston has been re-elected to the chamber’s top leadership position as the state Legislature opens.

Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge, easily retained the speaker’s job by a 169-6 vote Monday morning as the House and Senate convened at the state Capitol in Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports he called on lawmakers to work with mutual respect and civility “regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or sexual orientation.”

The 40-day legislative session often gets a slow start, but before leaving the Capitol lawmakers are expected to consider changes affecting schools, gambling and health care in the state.

Gov. Nathan Deal has been tight-lipped about his priorities for the year but is set to deliver his State of the State address later this week.