151st Georgia General Assembly

151st Georgia General Assembly
150th 152nd
Great Seal of the State of Georgia
Overview
Legislative bodyGeorgia General Assembly
Meeting placeGeorgia State Capitol
Senate
Members56 (36 R, 20 D)
President of the SenateCasey Cagle (R)
Party controlRepublican Party
House of Representatives
Members180 (116 R, 63 D, 1 I)
Speaker of the HouseDavid Ralston (R)
Party controlRepublican Party

Overview

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The 151st General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia convened its first session on January 10, 2011, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The 151st Georgia General Assembly succeeded the 150th and served as the precedent for the 152nd General Assembly in 2013.

Officers

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Senate

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Presiding Officer

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Position Name District Party
President Casey Cagle n/a Republican
President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams 19 Republican

Majority leadership

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Position Name District
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers 21
Majority Caucus Chairman Bill Cowsert 46
Majority Whip Cecil Staton 18

Minority leadership

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Position Name District
Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown 26
Minority Caucus Chairman Doug Stoner 6
Minority Whip Steve Henson 41

House of Representatives

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Presiding Officer

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Position Name District Party
Speaker of the House David Ralston 7 Republican
Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones 46 Republican

Majority leadership

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Position Name District
House Majority Leader Larry O'Neal 146
Majority Whip Edward Lindsey 54
Majority Caucus Chairman Donna Sheldon 105
Majority Caucus Vice Chairman Matt Ramsey 72
Majority Caucus Sec./Treas. Allen Peake 137

Minority leadership

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Position Name District
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams 84
Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley 133
Minority Caucus Chairman Brian Thomas 100
Minority Caucus Vice Chairman Rashad Taylor 55
Minority Caucus Secretary Stephanie Stuckey Benfield 85

Members of the State Senate

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District Senator Party First elected Residence
1[permanent dead link] Earl “Buddy” Carter Republican 2009 Pooler
2[permanent dead link] Lester Jackson Democratic 2008 Savannah
3[permanent dead link] William T. Ligon, Jr. Republican 2010 Brunswick
4[permanent dead link] Jack Hill Republican 1990 Reidsville
5[permanent dead link] Curt Thompson Democratic 2004 Tucker
6[permanent dead link] Doug Stoner Democratic 2004 Smyrna
7[permanent dead link] Greg Goggans Republican 2004 Douglas
8[permanent dead link] Tim Golden Republican 1998 Valdosta
9[permanent dead link] Don Balfour Republican 1992 Snellville
10[permanent dead link] Emanuel Jones Democratic 2004 Decatur
11[permanent dead link] John Bulloch Republican 2002 Ockhocknee
12[permanent dead link] Freddie Powell Sims Democratic 2008 Dawson
13[permanent dead link] John Crosby Republican 2008 Tifton
14[permanent dead link] George Hooks Democratic 1990 Americus
15[permanent dead link] Ed Harbison Democratic 1992 Columbus
16[permanent dead link] Ronnie Chance Republican 2004 Tyrone
17[permanent dead link] Rick Jeffares Republican 2010 Locust Grove
18[permanent dead link] Cecil Staton Republican 2004 Macon
19[permanent dead link] Tommie Williams Republican 1998 Lyons
20[permanent dead link] Ross Tolleson Republican 2002 Perry
21[permanent dead link] Chip Rogers Republican 2004 Woodstock
22[permanent dead link] Hardie Davis Democratic 2010 Augusta
23[permanent dead link] Jesse Stone Republican 2010 Waynesboro
24[permanent dead link] Bill Jackson Republican 2007 Appling
25[permanent dead link] Johnny Grant Republican 2004 Milledgeville
26[permanent dead link] Robert Brown Democratic 1991 Macon
27[permanent dead link] Jack Murphy Republican 2006 Cumming
28[permanent dead link] Mitch Seabaugh Republican 2000 Sharpsburg
29[permanent dead link] Joshua McKoon Republican 2010 Columbus
30[permanent dead link] Bill Hamrick Republican 1999 Carrollton
31[permanent dead link] Bill Heath Republican 2004 Bremen
32[permanent dead link] Judson Hill Republican 2004 Marietta
33[permanent dead link] Steve Thompson Democratic 1990 Marietta
34[permanent dead link] Valencia Seay Democratic 2003 Riverdale
35[permanent dead link] Donzella James Democratic 2009 College Park
36[permanent dead link] Nan Orrock Democratic 2006 Atlanta
37[permanent dead link] Lindsey Tippins Republican 2010 Marietta
38[permanent dead link] Horacena Tate Democratic 1998 Atlanta
39[permanent dead link] Vincent Fort Democratic 1996 Atlanta
40[permanent dead link] Fran Millar Republican 2010 Atlanta
41[permanent dead link] Steve Henson Democratic 2002 Tucker
42[permanent dead link] Jason Carter Democratic 2010 Decatur
43[permanent dead link] Ronald Ramsey, Sr. Democratic 2006 Decatur
44[permanent dead link] Gail Davenport Democratic 2010 Jonesboro
45[permanent dead link] Renee Unterman Republican 2002 Buford
46[permanent dead link] Bill Cowsert Republican 2006 Athens
47[permanent dead link] Frank Ginn Republican 2010 Danielsville
48[permanent dead link] David Shafer Republican 2001 Duluth
49[permanent dead link] Butch Miller Republican 2010 Gainesville
50[permanent dead link] Jim Butterworth Republican 2008 Cornelia
51[permanent dead link] Steve Gooch Republican 2010 Dahlonega
52[permanent dead link] Barry Loudermilk Republican 2010 Cassville
53[permanent dead link] Jeff Mullis Republican 2000 Chickamauga
54[permanent dead link] Charlie Bethel Republican 2010 Dalton
55[permanent dead link] Gloria Butler Democratic 1999 Stone Mountain
56[permanent dead link] John Albers Republican 2010 Roswell

Changes in Membership from Previous Term

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Two seats changed party control from the previous session, one due to defeat of an incumbent and the other due to a party switch (Tim Golden) the beginning of the 151st Georgia General Assembly saw thirteen new state senators. One defeated an incumbent in the general election, one defeated an incumbent in the primary, Six replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Five replaced a senator who had retired.

District Previous Subsequent Reason for change
3rd Jeff Chapman (R) William T. Ligon, Jr. (R) Ran for Governor
17th John Douglas (R) Rick Jeffares (R) Retired
23rd J.B. Powell (D) Jesse Stone (R) Ran for Agriculture Commissioner
29th Seth Harp (R) Joshua McKoon (R) Ran for Insurance Commissioner
37th John Wiles (R) Lindsey Tippins (R) Defeated in Primary Runoff
40th Dan Weber (R) Fran Millar (R) Retired
44th Gail Buckner (D) Gail Davenport (D) Ran for Secretary of State
47th Ralph Hudgens (R) Frank Ginn (R) Ran for Insurance Commissioner
49th Lee Hawkins (R) Butch Miller (R) Ran for Congress
51st Chip Pearson (R) Steve Gooch (R) Retired
52nd Preston Smith (R) Barry Loudermilk (R) Ran for Attorney General
54th Don Thomas (R) Charlie Bethel (R) Retired
56th Dan Moody (R) John Albers (R) Retired

Changes in Membership During Current Term

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Announced Retirements

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Members of the House of Representatives

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District Representative Party First elected Residence
1 Jay Neal Republican 2004 LaFayette
2 Martin Scott Republican 2004 Rossville
3 Tom Weldon Republican 2008 Ringgold
4 Roger Williams Republican 2001 Ringgold
5 John D. Meadows, III Republican 2004 Calhoun
6 Tom Dickson Republican 2004 Cohutta
7 David Ralston Republican 2002 Blue Ridge
8 Stephen Allison Republican 2008 Blairsville
9 Amos Amerson Republican 2000 Dahlonega
10 Terry Rogers Republican 2008 Clarkesville
11 Barbara Massey Reece Democratic 1998 Menlo
12 Rick Jasperse Republican 2010 Jasper
13 Katie Dempsey Republican 2006 Rome
14 Christian Coomer Republican 2010 Cartersville
15 Paul Battles Republican 2008 Cartersville
16 Rick Crawford Democratic 2007 Cedartown
17 Howard R. Maxwell Republican 2002 Dallas
18 Kevin Cooke Republican 2010 Carrollton
19 Paulette Braddock Republican 2010 Hiram
20 Charlice H. Byrd Republican 2004 Woodstock
21 Calvin Hill Republican 2002 Canton
22 Sean Jerguson Republican 2006 Holly Springs
23 Mark Hamilton Republican 2006 Cumming
24 Mike Dudgeon Republican 2010 Suwanee
25 James Mills Republican 1992 Gainesville
26 Carl Rogers Republican 1994 Gainesville
27 Doug Collins Republican 2006 Gainesville
28 Michael Harden Republican 2008 Toccoa
29 Alan Powell Republican 1990 Hartwell
30 Tom McCall Republican 1994 Elberton
31 Tommy Benton Republican 2004 Jefferson
32 Judy Manning Republican 1996 Marietta
33 David Wilkerson Democratic 2010 Austell
34 Rich Golick Republican 1998 Smyrna
35 Ed Setzler Republican 2004 Acworth
36 Earl Ehrhart Republican 1988 Powder Springs
37 Terry Johnson Democratic 2004 Marietta
38 Sam Teasley Republican 2010 Marietta
39 Alisha Thomas Morgan Democratic 2002 Austell
40 Stacey Adams Democratic 2010 Smyrna
41 Sharon Cooper Republican 1996 Marietta
42 Don Parsons Republican 1994 Marietta
43 Bobby Franklin Republican 1996 Marietta
44 Sheila Jones Democratic 2004 Smyrna
45 Matt Dollar Republican 2002 Marietta
46 Jan Jones Republican 2003 Milton
47 Chuck Martin Republican 2002 Alpharetta
48 Harry Geisinger Republican 2004 Roswell
49 Wendell Willard Republican 2000 Sandy Springs
50 Lynne Riley Republican 2010 Johns Creek
51 Tom Rice Republican 1996 Norcross
52 Joe Wilkinson Republican 2000 Atlanta
53 Elly Dobbs Democratic 2008 Atlanta
54 Edward Lindsey Republican 2004 Atlanta
55 Rashad Taylor Democratic 2008 Atlanta
56 Kathy Ashe Democratic 1990 Atlanta
57 Pat Gardner Democratic 2001 Atlanta
58 Simone Bell Democratic 2009 Atlanta
59 Margaret Kaiser Democratic 2006 Atlanta
60 Gloria Bromell Tinubu Democratic 2010 Atlanta
61 Ralph Long, III Democratic 2008 Atlanta
62 Joe Heckstall Democratic 1994 East Point
63 Tyrone L. Brooks, Sr. Democratic 1980 Atlanta
64 Roger B. Bruce Democratic 2002 Atlanta
65 Sharon Beasley-Teague Democratic 1992 Red Oak
66 Virgil Fludd Democratic 2002 Tyrone
67 Bill Hembree Republican 1998 Winston
68 Tim Bearden Republican 2004 Villa Rica
69 Randy Nix Republican 2006 LaGrange
70 Lynn Ratigan Smith Republican 1996 Newnan
71 Billy Horne Republican 2004 Newnan
72 Matt Ramsey Republican 2006 Peachtree City
73 John P. Yates Republican 1988 Griffin
74 Roberta Abdul-Salaam Democratic 2004 Riverdale
75 Yasmin Neal Democratic 2010 Jonesboro
76 Sandra Scott Democratic 2010 Rex
77 Darryl Jordan Democratic 2000 Riverdale
78 Glenn Baker Democratic 2008 Jonesboro
79 Tom Taylor Republican 2010 Dunwoody
80 Mike Jacobs Republican 2004 Atlanta
81 Elena Parent Democratic 2010 Atlanta
82 Scott Holcomb Democratic 2010 Atlanta
83 Mary Margaret Oliver Democratic 2002 Decatur
84 Stacey Abrams Democratic 2006 Atlanta
85 Stephanie Stuckey Benfield Democratic 1998 Atlanta
86 Karla Drenner Democratic 2000 Avondale Estates
87 Michele D. Henson Democratic 1990 Stone Mountain
88 Billy Mitchell Democratic 2002 Stone Mountain
89 Earnest "Coach" Williams Democratic 2002 Avondale Estates
90 Howard Mosby Democratic 2002 Atlanta
91 Rahn Mayo Democratic 2008 Atlanta
92 Pam Stephenson Democratic 2002 Decatur
93 Dee Dawkins-Haigler Democratic 2008 Lithonia
94 Dar'shun Kendrick Democratic 2010 Lithonia
95 Pam Dickerson Democratic 2010 Conyers
96 Pedro Rafael Marin Democratic 2002 Duluth
97 Brooks P. Coleman, Jr. Republican 1992 Duluth
98 Josh Clark Republican 2010 Buford
99 Hugh Floyd Democratic 2002 Norcross
100 Brian W. Thomas Democratic 2004 Lilburn
101 Buzz Brockway Republican 2010 Lawrenceville
102 B.J. Pak Republican 2010 Lilburn
103 David Casas Republican 2002 Lilburn
104 Valerie Clark Republican 2010 Lawrenceville
105 Donna Sheldon Republican 2002 Dacula
106 Brett Harrell Republican 2010 Snellville
107 Tom Kirby Republican 2011 Loganville
108 Terry Lamar England Republican 2004 Auburn
109 Steve Davis Republican 2004 McDonough
110 Andrew Welch Republican 2010 McDonough
111 Bruce Williamson Republican 2010 Monroe
112 Doug Holt Republican 2004 Social Circle
113 VACANT
114 Keith Heard Democratic 1992 Athens
115 Doug McKillip Republican 2006 Athens
116 Mickey Channell Republican 2002 Greensboro
117 Lee Anderson Republican 2008 Grovetown
118 Ben L. Harbin Republican 1994 Evans
119 Barbara Sims Republican 2006 Augusta
120 Quincy Murphy Democratic 2002 Augusta
121 Henry Howard Democratic 2006 Augusta
122 Earnest Smith Democratic 2009 Augusta
123 Gloria Frazier Democratic 2006 Hephzibah
124 Sistie Hudson Democratic 1996 Sparta
125 Susan Holmes Republican 2010 Monticello
126 David Knight Republican 2004 Griffin
127 Billy Maddox Republican 2007 Zebulon
128 Carl Von Epps Democratic 1992 LaGrange
129 Kip Smith Republican 2009 Columbus
130 Debbie Buckner Democratic 2002 Junction City
131 Richard H. Smith Republican 2004 Columbus
132 Calvin Smyre Democratic 1974 Columbus
133 Carolyn Hugley Democratic 1992 Columbus
134 Mike Cheokas Republican 2004 Americus
135 Lynmore James Democratic 1992 Montezuma
136 Robert Dickey Republican 2011 Musella
137 Allen Peake Republican 2006 Macon
138 Nikki Randall Democratic 1999 Macon
139 David E. Lucas, Sr. Democratic 1975 Macon
140 Bubber Epps Republican 2008 Dry Branch
141 Rusty Kidd Independent 2009 Milledgeville
142 Mack Jackson Democratic 2008 Sandersville
143 Matt Hatchett Republican 2010 Dublin
144 Jimmy Pruett Republican 2006 Eastman
145 Willie Lee Talton Republican 2004 Warner Robins
146 Larry O'Neal Republican 2001 Bonaire
147 Buddy Harden Republican 2008 Cordele
148 Bob Hanner Republican 1975 Parrott
149 Gerald E. Greene Republican 1982 Cuthbert
150 Winfred J. Dukes Democratic 1996 Albany
151 Carol Fullerton Democratic 2008 Albany
152 Ed Rynders Republican 2002 Albany
153 Tony McBrayer Republican 2010 Tifton
154 Jay Roberts Republican 2002 Ocilla
155 Greg Morris Republican 1998 Vidalia
156 Larry "Butch" Parrish Republican 1984 Swainsboro
157 Jon G. Burns Republican 2004 Newington
158 Jan Tankersley Republican 2010 Brooklet
159 Ann Purcell Republican 2009 Rincon
160 Bob Bryant Democratic 2004 Garden City
161 Mickey Stephens Democratic 2008 Savannah
162 J. Craig Gordon Democratic 2006 Savannah
163 Ben Watson Republican 2010 Savannah
164 Ron Stephens Republican 1996 Savannah
165 Al Williams Democratic 2002 Midway
166 Delvis Dutton Republican 2010 Glennville
167 Roger Bert Lane Republican 2004 Darien
168 Tommy Smith Republican 1978 Nicholls
169 Chuck Sims Republican 1996 Ambrose
170 Penny Houston Republican 1998 Nashville
171 Jay Powell Republican 2008 Camilla
172 Gene Maddox Republican 2004 Cairo
173 Darlene Taylor Republican 2010 Thomasville
174 Ellis Black Republican 2002 Valdosta
175 Amy Carter Republican 2006 Valdosta
176 Jason Shaw Republican 2010 Lakeland
177 Mark Hatfield Republican 2004 Waycross
178 Chad Nimmer Republican 2011 Blackshear
179 Alex Atwood Republican 2010 Brunswick
180 Jason Spencer Republican 2010 Woodbine

Changes in Membership from Previous Term

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Fourteen seats changed party control from the previous session, three due to defeat of an incumbent, three due to retirements/resignation or runs for other office and the other eight due to a party switch from the Democrats to the Republicans (Ellis Black, Amy Carter, Mike Cheokas, Bubber Epps, Gerald E. Greene, Bob Hanner, Doug McKillip, Alan Powell) the beginning of the 151st Georgia General Assembly saw thirty-four new representatives. One defeated an incumbent in the primary, three in the primary run-off, ten replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Sixteen replaced a representative who had retired.

District Previous Subsequent Reason for change
14th Barry Loudermilk (R) Christian Coomer (R) Ran for State Senate
18th Mark Butler (R) Kevin Cooke (R) Ran for Labor Commissioner
19th Daniel Stout (R) Paulette Braddock (R) Defeated in Primary Runoff
24th Tom Knox (R) Mike Dudgeon (R) Ran for Insurance Commissioner
33rd Don Wix (D) David Wilkerson (D) Defeated in Primary
38th Pat Dooley (D) Sam Teasley (R) Defeated in General
40th Rob Teilhet (D) Stacey Evans (D) Ran for Attorney General
50th Mark Burkhalter (R) Lynne Riley (R) Retired
60th Georganna Sinkfield (D) Gloria Bromell Tinubu (D) Ran for Secretary of State
75th Ron Dodson (D) Yasmin Neal (D) Retired
76th Mike Glanton (D) Sandra Scott (D) Retired
79th Fran Millar (R) Tom Taylor (R) Ran for State Senate
81st Jill Chambers (R) Elena Parent (D) Defeated in General
82nd Kevin Levitas (D) Scott Holcomb (D) Retired
94th Randal Mangham (D) Dar'shun Kendrick (D) Ran for Governor
95th Toney Collins (D) Pam Dickerson (D) Defeated in Primary Runoff
98th Bobby Reese (R) Josh Clark (R) Retired
101st Mike Coan (R) Buzz Brockway (R) Retired
102nd Clay Cox (R) B.J. Pak (R) Retired
104th Lee Thompson (D) Valerie Clark (R) Defeated in General
106th Melvin Everson (R) Brett Harrell (R) Retired
110th John Lunsford (R) Andrew Welch (R) Retired
111th Jeff May (R) Bruce Williamson (R) Retired
113th Bob Smith (R) Hank Huckaby (R) Retired
125th Jim Cole (R) Susan Holmes (R) Retired
143rd DuBose Porter (D) Matt Hatchett (R) Ran for Governor
153rd Austin Scott (R) Tony McBrayer (R) Ran for Congress
158th Bob Lane (R) Jan Tankersley (R) Retired
163rd Burke Day (R) Ben Watson (R) Retired
166th Terry Barnard (R) Delvis Dutton (R) Retired
173rd Mike Keown (R) Darlene Taylor (R) Ran for Congress
176th Jay Shaw (D) Jason Shaw (R) Resigned
179th Jerry Keen (R) Alex Atwood (R) Retired
180th Cecily A. Hill (R) Jason Spencer (R) Defeated in Primary Runoff

Changes in Membership During Current Term

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Date seat became vacant District Previous Reason for change Subsequent Date of successor's taking office
November 30, 2010 136th Tony Sellier (R) Died of Congestive Heart Failure. Robert Dickey
(R)
February 16, 2011
December 9, 2010 178th Mark Williams (R) Resigned to serve as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Chad Nimmer
(R)
February 16, 2011

See also

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