Lower house of the Georgia General Assembly
33°44′57″N 84°23′18″W / 33.749070°N 84.388362°W / 33.749070; -84.388362
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia . There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. The current House Speaker is Jon G. Burns .
The Georgia House of Representatives was created in 1777 (247 years ago) (1777 ) during the American Revolution , making it older than the U.S. Congress . During its existence, its meeting place has moved multiple times, from Savannah to Augusta , to Louisville , to Milledgeville and finally to Atlanta in 1868.[ 2]
In 1867, the military governor of Georgia called for an assembly in Atlanta to discuss a constitutional convention. Atlanta officials moved to make the city Georgia's new state capital, donating the location of Atlanta's first city hall . The constitutional convention agreed and the people voted to ratify the decision on April 20, 1868. The Georgia General Assembly first presided in Atlanta on July 4, 1868.[ 2]
On October 26, 1884, construction began on a new state capitol and was first occupied on June 15, 1889.[ 2]
Powers and privileges [ edit ]
The state constitution gives the state legislature the power to make state laws, restrict land use to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources, form a state militia under the command of the Governor of Georgia , expend public money, condemn property, zone property, participate in tourism , and control and regulate outdoor advertising.[ 3]
The state legislature cannot grant incorporation to private persons but may establish laws governing the incorporation process. It is also prohibited from authorizing contracts or agreements that may have the effect of or the intent of lessening competition or encouraging a monopoly.
Members of the Georgia House of Representatives maintain two privileges during their time in office. First, no member can be arrested during session or during committee meetings except in cases of treason , felony , or "breach of the peace ". Second, members are not liable for anything they might say in session or committee meetings.
Map of partisan composition of the Georgia House of Representatives as of July 13, 2023: Vacant
According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to comprise no fewer than 180 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 180 members. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
It is the third-largest lower house of the 50 United States (behind New Hampshire (400) and Pennsylvania (203)).[ 4] Republicans currently have a majority, though Democrats have gained seats in recent elections.
As of 2011, attorneys account for about 16.1% of the membership of the Georgia House of Representatives, a relatively low figure.[ 5]
Affiliation
Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican
Democratic
Vacant
End of 155th General Assembly
105
74
179
1[ a]
End of 156th General Assembly
103
76
179
1
Beginning of 157th General Assembly
101
79
180
0
July 11, 2023[ 7]
102
78
180
0
Latest voting share
57%
43%
The House of Representatives elects its own Speaker as well as a Speaker Pro Tempore. Speaker Jon G. Burns was elected on January 9, 2023. Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones , who served as Speaker following the death of Speaker David Ralston , was reelected to her previous position on that day as well. The Speaker Pro Tempore becomes Speaker in case of the death, resignation, or permanent disability of the Speaker. The Speaker Pro Tempore serves until a new Speaker is elected. In addition there is a Clerk of the House, who is charged with overseeing the flow of legislation through the body. The current clerk is William L. Reilly.[ 8]
Source: [ 9]
List of current representatives [ edit ]
As of March 2024[update] , the membership of the House is as follows:[ 10]
District
Representative
Party
Since
Residence
Counties represented
1
Mike Cameron
Republican
2021
Rossville
Dade , Walker
2
Steve Tarvin
Republican
2014
Chickamauga
Catoosa , Walker , Whitfield
3
Mitchell Horner
Republican
2023
Ringgold
Catoosa
4
Kasey Carpenter
Republican
2017
Dalton
Whitfield
5
Matt Barton
Republican
2019
Calhoun
Floyd , Gordon
6
Jason Ridley
Republican
2017
Chatsworth
Murray
7
Johnny Chastain
Republican
2023
Blue Ridge
Dawson , Fannin , Gilmer
8
Stan Gunter
Republican
2021
Blairsville
Towns , Union , White
9
Will Wade
Republican
2013
Dawsonville
Dawson , Lumpkin , White
10
Victor Anderson
Republican
2021
Cornelia
Habersham , Rabun
11
Rick Jasperse
Republican
2010
Jasper
Cherokee , Forsyth , Pickens
12
Eddie Lumsden
Republican
2013
Rome
Chattooga , Floyd
13
Katie Dempsey
Republican
2007
Rome
Floyd
14
Mitchell Scoggins
Republican
2019
Rydal
Bartow , Cherokee
15
Matthew Gambill
Republican
2019
Cartersville
Bartow
16
Trey Kelley
Republican
2013
Cedartown
Paulding , Polk
17
Martin Momtahan
Republican
2019
Dallas
Paulding
18
Tyler Smith
Republican
2021
Bremen
Carroll , Haralson
19
Joseph Gullett
Republican
2019
Dallas
Paulding
20
Charlice Byrd
Republican
2013
Woodstock
Cherokee
21
Brad Thomas
Republican
2013
Woodstock
Cherokee
22
Jordan Ridley
Republican
2023
Woodstock
Cherokee , Cobb
23
Mandi Ballinger
Republican
2013
Canton
Cherokee
24
Carter Barrett
Republican
2023
Cumming
Forsyth
25
Todd Jones
Republican
2017
Cumming
Forsyth , Fulton
26
Lauren McDonald
Republican
2021
Cumming
Forsyth
27
Lee Hawkins
Republican
2013
Gainesville
Hall , Lumpkin
28
Brent Cox
Republican
2023
Dawsonville
Forsyth , Hall
29
Matt Dubnik
Republican
2017
Gainesville
Hall
30
Derrick McCollum
Republican
2023
Chestnut Mountain
Gwinnett , Hall
31
Emory Dunahoo
Republican
2011
Gillsville
Hall , Jackson
32
Chris Erwin
Republican
2023
Homer
Banks , Habersham
33
Alan Powell
Republican
1991
Hartwell
Franklin , Hart , Madison
34
Devan Seabaugh
Republican
2021
Marietta
Cobb
35
Lisa Campbell
Democratic
2023
Kennesaw
Cobb
36
Ginny Ehrhart
Republican
2019
Powder Springs
Cobb
37
Mary Frances Williams
Democratic
2019
Marietta
Cobb
38
David Wilkerson
Democratic
2011
Powder Springs
Cobb
39
Terry Cummings
Democratic
2023
Mableton
Cobb
40
Doug Stoner
Democratic
2023
Smyrna
Cobb
41
Michael Smith
Democratic
2013
Marietta
Cobb
42
Teri Anulewicz
Democratic
2017
Smyrna
Cobb
43
Solomon Adesanya
Democratic
2023
Marietta
Cobb
44
Don Parsons
Republican
1995
Marietta
Cherokee , Cobb
45
Sharon Cooper
Republican
1997
Marietta
Cobb
46
John Carson
Republican
2011
Roswell
Cherokee , Cobb
47
Jan Jones
Republican
2003
Alpharetta
Cherokee , Fulton
48
Scott Hilton
Republican
2023
Peachtree Corners
Fulton , Gwinnett
49
Chuck Martin
Republican
2003
Alpharetta
Fulton
50
Michelle Au
Democratic
2023
Johns Creek
Fulton
51
Esther Panitch
Democratic
2023
Sandy Springs
Fulton
52
Shea Roberts
Democratic
2021
Sandy Springs
DeKalb , Fulton
53
Deborah Silcox
Republican
2023
Sandy Springs
Fulton
54
Betsy Holland
Democratic
2019
Atlanta
Fulton
55
Inga Willis
Democratic
2023
Atlanta
Fulton
56
Mesha Mainor
Republican
2021
Atlanta
Fulton
57
Stacey Evans
Democratic
2021
Atlanta
Fulton
58
Park Cannon
Democratic
2016
Atlanta
Fulton
59
Phil Olaleye
Democratic
2023
Atlanta
Fulton
60
Sheila Jones
Democratic
2005
Atlanta
Fulton
61
Roger Bruce
Democratic
2003
Atlanta
Douglas , Fulton
62
Tanya F. Miller
Democratic
2023
Atlanta
Fulton
63
Kim Schofield
Democratic
2017
Atlanta
Fulton
64
Kimberly New
Republican
2023
Villa Rica
Douglas , Paulding
65
Mandisha Thomas
Democratic
2021
Atlanta
Coweta , Douglas , Fulton
66
Kimberly Alexander
Democratic
2013
Douglasville
Douglas
67
Lydia Glaize
Democratic
2023
Fairburn
Coweta , Fulton
68
Derrick Jackson
Democratic
2023
Tyrone
Fayette , Fulton
69
Debra Bazemore
Democratic
2017
South Fulton
Fayette , Fulton
70
Lynn Smith
Republican
1997
Newnan
Carroll , Coweta
71
J. Collins
Republican
2017
Villa Rica
Carroll
72
David Huddleston
Republican
2023
Roopville
Carroll , Heard , Troup
73
Josh Bonner
Republican
2017
Fayetteville
Coweta , Fayette
74
Karen Mathiak
Republican
2023
Griffin
Fayette , Henry , Spalding
75
Eric Bell II
Democratic
2023
Jonesboro
Clayton
76
Sandra Scott
Democratic
2011
Rex
Clayton
77
Rhonda Burnough
Democratic
2017
Riverdale
Clayton
78
Demetrius Douglas
Democratic
2013
Jonesboro
Clayton , Henry
79
Yasmin Neal
Democratic
2011
Morrow
Clayton
80
Long Tran
Democratic
2023
Dunwoody
DeKalb
81
Scott Holcomb
Democratic
2011
Atlanta
DeKalb
82
Mary Margaret Oliver
Democratic
2003
Atlanta
DeKalb
83
Karen Lupton
Democratic
2023
Chamblee
DeKalb
84
Omari Crawford
Democratic
2023
Decatur
DeKalb
85
Karla Drenner
Democratic
2001
Avondale Estates
DeKalb
86
Imani Barnes
Democratic
2023
Tucker
DeKalb
87
Viola Davis
Democratic
2019
Stone Mountain
DeKalb
88
Billy Mitchell
Democratic
2003
Lithonia
DeKalb , Gwinnett
89
Becky Evans
Democratic
2023
Atlanta
DeKalb
90
Saira Draper
Democratic
2023
Atlanta
DeKalb
91
Angela Moore
Democratic
2021
Lithonia
DeKalb , Henry , Rockdale
92
Rhonda Taylor
Democratic
2021
Conyers
DeKalb , Rockdale
93
Doreen Carter
Democratic
2015
Lithonia
DeKalb , Newton , Rockdale
94
Karen Bennett
Democratic
2013
Stone Mountain
DeKalb , Gwinnett
95
Dar'shun Kendrick
Democratic
2023
Lithonia
DeKalb , Gwinnett , Rockdale
96
Pedro Marin
Democratic
2003
Duluth
Gwinnett
97
Ruwa Romman
Democratic
2023
Duluth
Gwinnett
98
Marvin Lim
Democratic
2021
Norcross
Gwinnett
99
Matt Reeves
Republican
2023
Duluth
Gwinnett
100
David Clark
Republican
2015
Sugar Hill
Forsyth , Gwinnett , Hall
101
Gregg Kennard
Democratic
2017
Lawrenceville
Gwinnett
102
Gabe Okoye
Democratic
2017
Lawrenceville
Gwinnett
103
Soo Hong
Republican
2023
Lawrenceville
Gwinnett , Hall
104
Chuck Efstration
Republican
2013
Auburn
Barrow , Gwinnett
105
Farooq Mughal
Democratic
2023
Dacula
Gwinnett
106
Shelly Hutchinson
Democratic
2019
Snellville
Gwinnett
107
Sam Park
Democratic
2023
Lawrenceville
Gwinnett
108
Jasmine Clark
Democratic
2019
Lilburn
Gwinnett
109
Dewey McClain
Democratic
2023
Lawrenceville
Gwinnett
110
Segun Adeyina
Democratic
2023
Grayson
Gwinnett
111
Reynaldo Martinez
Republican
2023
Loganville
Gwinnett , Walton
112
Bruce Williamson
Republican
2023
Monroe
Walton
113
Sharon Henderson
Democratic
2021
Covington
Newton
114
Tim Fleming
Republican
2023
Covington
Jasper , Morgan , Newton
115
Regina Lewis-Ward
Democratic
2023
McDonough
Henry
116
El-Mahdi Holly
Democratic
2023
Stockbridge
Clayton , Henry
117
Lauren Daniel
Republican
2023
Locust Grove
Henry , Spalding
118
Clint Crowe
Republican
2023
Jackson
Butts , Henry , Jasper , Putnam
119
Holt Persinger
Republican
2023
Winder
Barrow , Jackson
120
Houston Gaines
Republican
2019
Athens
Barrow , Clarke , Jackson , Oconee
121
Marcus Wiedower
Republican
2019
Watkinsville
Clarke , Oconee
122
Spencer Frye
Democratic
2023
Athens
Clarke
123
Rob Leverett
Republican
2023
Elberton
Columbia , Elbert , Lincoln , Madison , Wilkes
124
Trey Rhodes
Republican
2015
Greensboro
Clarke , Greene , Oglethorpe , Putnam , Taliaferro
125
Gary Richardson
Republican
2024
Evans
Columbia , McDuffie
126
Gloria Frazier
Democratic
2007
Hephzibah
Burke , Jenkins , Richmond
127
Mark Newton
Republican
2023
Augusta
Columbia , Richmond
128
Mack Jackson
Democratic
2009
Sandersville
Baldwin , Glascock , Hancock , McDuffie , Warren , Washington
129
Karlton Howard
Democratic
2023
Augusta
Richmond
130
Lynn Gladney
Democratic
2023
Augusta
Richmond
131
Jodi Lott
Republican
2023
Evans
Columbia
132
Brian Prince
Democratic
2023
Augusta
Jefferson , Richmond
133
Kenneth Vance
Republican
2023
Milledgeville
Baldwin , Jones
134
David Knight
Republican
2005
Griffin
Lamar , Monroe , Spalding
135
Beth Camp
Republican
2021
Concord
Lamar , Pike , Upson
136
David Jenkins
Republican
2021
Grantville
Coweta , Meriwether , Troup
137
Debbie Buckner
Democratic
2003
Junction City
Meriwether , Muscogee , Talbot , Troup
138
Vance Smith
Republican
2019
Hamilton
Harris , Muscogee , Troup
139
Carmen Rice
Republican
2024
Columbus
Harris , Muscogee
140
Tremaine Teddy Reese
Democratic
2023
Columbus
Muscogee
141
Carolyn Hugley
Democratic
1993
Columbus
Muscogee
142
Miriam Paris
Democratic
2017
Macon
Bibb
143
James Beverly
Democratic
2011
Macon
Bibb
144
Dale Washburn
Republican
2019
Macon
Bibb , Jones , Monroe
145
Robert Dickey
Republican
2011
Musella
Baldwin , Putnam
146
Shaw Blackmon
Republican
2015
Kathleen
Houston
147
Bethany Ballard
Republican
2023
Warner Robins
Houston
148
Noel Williams Jr.
Republican
2019
Cordele
Ben Hill , Crisp , Houston , Pulaski , Wilcox
149
Danny Mathis
Republican
2011
Cochran
Bleckley , Dodge , Telfair , Twiggs , Wilkinson
150
Patty Marie Stinson
Democratic
2013
Butler
Dooly , Macon , Peach , Sumter , Taylor
151
Mike Cheokas
Republican
2023
Americus
Chattahoochee , Dougherty , Marion , Schley , Stewart , Sumter , Terrell , Webster
152
Bill Yearta
Republican
2019
Sylvester
Dougherty , Lee , Worth
153
David Sampson
Democratic
2023
Albany
Dougherty
154
Gerald Greene
Republican
1983
Cuthbert
Baker , Calhoun , Clay , Dougherty , Early , Miller , Quitman , Randolph , Seminole
155
Matt Hatchett
Republican
2023
Dublin
Johnson , Laurens
156
Leesa Hagan
Republican
2021
Lyons
Ben Hill , Montgomery , Tattnall , Telfair , Toombs , Wheeler
157
Bill Werkheiser
Republican
2015
Glennville
Appling , Evans , Jeff Davis , Tattnall
158
Butch Parrish
Republican
1985
Swainsboro
Bulloch , Candler , Emanuel , Treutlen
159
Jon G. Burns
Republican
2005
Newington
Bulloch , Effingham , Screven
160
Lehman Franklin
Republican
2023
Statesboro
Bryan , Bulloch
161
Bill Hitchens
Republican
2013
Rincon
Chatham , Effingham
162
Carl Gilliard
Democratic
2016
Garden City
Chatham
163
Anne Allen Westbrook
Democratic
2023
Savannah
Chatham
164
Ron Stephens
Republican
1997
Richmond Hill
Bryan , Chatham
165
Edna Jackson
Democratic
2021
Savannah
Chatham
166
Jesse Petrea
Republican
2015
Savannah
Bryan , Chatham
167
Buddy DeLoach
Republican
2021
Townsend
Glynn , Liberty , Long , McIntosh , Wayne
168
Al Williams
Democratic
2003
Midway
Liberty
169
Clay Pirkle
Republican
2023
Ashburn
Coffee , Irwin , Tift , Turner
170
Penny Houston
Republican
1997
Nashville
Berrien , Cook , Tift
171
Joe Campbell
Republican
2020
Camilla
Decatur , Grady , Mitchell
172
Charles Cannon
Republican
2023
Moultrie
Colquitt , Thomas
173
Darlene Taylor
Republican
2011
Thomasville
Grady , Thomas
174
John Corbett
Republican
2015
Lake Park
Brantley , Charlton , Clinch , Echols , Lowndes , Ware
175
John LaHood
Republican
2018
Valdosta
Brooks , Lowndes
176
James Burchett
Republican
2019
Millwood
Atkinson , Coffee , Lanier , Lowndes , Ware
177
Dexter Sharper
Democratic
2013
Valdosta
Lowndes
178
Steven Meeks
Republican
2019
Screven
Appling , Bacon , Pierce , Wayne
179
Rick Townsend
Republican
2023
St. Simons
Glynn
180
Steven Sainz
Republican
2019
Woodbine
Camden , Glynn
Longest serving representatives [ edit ]
The following is a list of the 10 individuals who served the longest amount of time in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Tenure
Name
Term
Party
Hometown
1
47 years, 361 days
Calvin Smyre
January 13, 1975 – January 9, 2023
Democratic
Columbus
2
42 years, 4 days
Tom Murphy
January 9, 1961 – January 13, 2003
Democratic
Bremen
3
41 years, 362 days
Bill Lee
January 14, 1957 – January 11, 1999
Democratic
Forest Park
4
41 years, 221 days
Gerald Greene
Since January 10, 1983
Republican
Cuthbert
5
39 years, 364 days
James Roy McCracken
January 14, 1935 – January 13, 1975
Democratic
Avera
6
39 years, 217 days
Butch Parrish
Since January 14, 1985
Republican
Swainsboro
7
38 years, 103 days
Harry D. Dixon
September 27, 1962 – January 8, 2001
Democratic
Waycross
8
38 years, 1 day
Tom Buck
January 9, 1967 – January 10, 2005
Democratic
Columbus
9
37 years, 360 days
Henry L. Reaves
January 14, 1963 – January 8, 2001
Democratic
Quitman
10
37 years, 118 days
Bob Hanner
September 18, 1975 – January 14, 2013
Republican
Parrott
Source: [ 11]
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
Appropriations
Banks and Banking
Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight
Code Revision
Defense and Veterans Affairs
Economic Development and Tourism
Education
Ethics
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
Game, Fish & Parks
Governmental Affairs
Health
Higher Education
Human Relations & Aging
Industry and Labor
Information and Audits
Insurance
Intergovernmental Coordination
Interstate Cooperation
Judiciary
Judiciary Non-Civil
Juvenile Justice
MARTOC (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee)
Motor Vehicles
Natural Resources and Environment
Public Health
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Reapportionment and Redistricting
Regulated Industries
Retirement
Rules
Small Business Development
Special Committee on Healthcare
Special Rules
State Planning and Community Affairs
State Properties
Technology and Infrastructure Innovation
Transportation
Urban Affairs
Ways and Means
^ 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.[ 6]
^ "Comparison of state legislative salaries" . Ballotpedia . Retrieved September 1, 2020 .
^ a b c The Capitalization of Georgia Archived April 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine , Georgia State Government Archived March 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine . (accessed June 2, 2013)
^ Article III Section VI Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , Georgia Constitution (accessed June 2, 2013)
^ brenda erickson (October 11, 2007). "Population and Size of Legislature" . Ncsl.org. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2011 .
^ "Georgia House of Representatives" . Retrieved June 6, 2011 .
^ Prabhu, Maya T. "Lithonia Democratic lawmaker resigns from Georgia House" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved January 20, 2021 .
^ Vigdor, Neil (July 12, 2023). "Democrat's Defection Gives Georgia G.O.P. First Black Woman in State House" . The New York Times .
^ "Staff Directory" . Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved October 16, 2013 .
^ "House Leadership" . www.house.ga.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2023 .
^ "Representatives (2023–2024 Regular Session)" . Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved August 27, 2023 .
^ "Committees List" . House.Ga.Gov. Retrieved November 26, 2020 .
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