150th Georgia General Assembly

Term of state legislature in US state of Georgia February 2026 January 2025 150th Georgia General Assembly File:Seal of Georgia.svg 125px Great Seal of the State of Georgia Great Seal of the State of Georgia Georgia General Assembly Georgia State Capitol 149th 151st Senate 56 (34 R, 22 D*) Republican Party President of the Senate Casey Cagle (R) House of Representatives 180 (108 R, 71 D, 1 I) Republican Party Speaker of the House David Ralston (R) Overview The 150th Georgia General Assembly. convened its first session on January 12, 2009, at the Georgia State Capitol. in Atlanta, Georgia. The 150th Georgia General Assembly succeeded the 149th and served as the precedent for the 151st General Assembly in 2011. The 150th General Assembly adjourned its first session on April 3, 2009. The second session of the 150th General Assembly convened January 11, 2010. Officers Senate Presiding officer PositionNameDistrictParty Republican Party (United States)PresidentCasey Cagle n/aRepublican Republican Party (United States)President Pro TemporeTommie Williams 19Republican Majority leadership PositionNameDistrict Republican Party (United States)Senate Majority LeaderChip Rogers 21 Republican Party (United States)Majority Caucus ChairmanDan Moody 56 Republican Party (United States)Majority Vice leader John Wiles 37 Minority leadership PositionNameDistrict Democratic Party (United States)Senate Minority LeaderRobert Brown 26 Democratic Party (United States)Minority Caucus ChairmanTim Golden 8 Democratic Party (United States)Minority Vice leader David Adelman 42 House of Representatives Presiding officer PositionNameDistrictParty Republican Party (United States)Speaker of the HouseDavid Ralston 7Republican Republican Party (United States)Speaker Pro TemporeJan Jones 46Republican Glenn Richardson (R) served as Speaker of the House from January 2009 through Jan. 1, 2010. Mark Burkhalter (R) served as Speaker pro tempore during the same period, and was acting Speaker when the House reconvened on Jan. 11, 2010, at which time the House elected David Ralston and Jan Jones.AJC: Richardson out, Burkhalter will be speakerAJC: Live blogging from the Legislature: David Ralston elected House speaker https://web.archive.org/web/20100114055523/http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2010/01/11/the-new-house-speaker-and-the-race-for-governor/ 2010-01-14 Majority leadership PositionNameDistrict Republican Party (United States)House of Representatives Majority LeaderJerry Keen 179 Republican Party (United States)House of Representatives Majority Vice leader Edward Lindsey 54 Republican Party (United States)Majority Caucus ChairmanDonna Sheldon 105 Republican Party (United States)Majority Caucus Vice ChairmanJeff May 111 Republican Party (United States)Majority Caucus Sec./Treas.Allen Peake 137 Minority leadership PositionNameDistrict Democratic Party (United States)House of Representatives Minority LeaderDuBose Porter 143 Democratic Party (United States)House of Representatives Minority Vice leader Carolyn Hugley 133 Democratic Party (United States)House of Representatives Minority Caucus ChairmanCalvin Smyre 132 Democratic Party (United States)House of Representatives Minority Caucus Vice ChairmanNikki Randall 138 Democratic Party (United States)Minority Caucus SecretaryKathy Ashe 56 Democratic Party (United States)Minority Caucus TreasurerDon Wix 33 Members of the state senate DistrictDistrictSenatorPartyFirst electedResidence1 1 Earl “Buddy” Carter Republican 2009Pooler2 2 Lester Jackson Democratic 2008Savannah3 3 Jeff Chapman Republican2004Brunswick4 4 Jack Hill Republican 1990Reidsville5 5 Curt Thompson Democratic 2004Norcross6 6 Doug Stoner Democratic 2004Smyrna7 7 Greg Goggans Republican 2004Douglas8 8 Tim Golden Democratic 1998Valdosta9 9 Don Balfour Republican 1992Snellville10 10 Emanuel Jones Democratic2004Ellenwood11 11 John Bulloch Republican 2002Ockhocknee12 12 Freddie Powell Sims Democratic2008Dawson13 13 John Crosby Republican 2008Tifton14 14 George Hooks Democratic1990Americus15 15 Ed Harbison Democratic1992Columbus16 16 Ronnie Chance Republican 2004Tyrone17 17 John Douglas Republican 2004Social Circle18 18 Cecil Staton Republican 2004Macon19 19 Tommie Williams Republican 1998Lyons20 20 Ross Tolleson Republican 2002Perry21 21 Chip Rogers Republican 2004Woodstock22 22 VACANT 23 23 J.B. Powell Democratic2004Blythe24 24 Bill Jackson Republican 2007Appling25 25 Johnny Grant Republican 2004Milledgeville26 26 Robert Brown Democratic1991Macon27 27 Jack Murphy Republican 2006Cumming28 28 Mitch Seabaugh Republican 2000Sharpsburg29 29 Seth Harp Republican 2000Midland30 30 Bill Hamrick Republican 1999Carrollton31 31 Bill Heath Republican 2004Bremen32 32 Judson Hill Republican 2004East Cobb33 33 Steve Thompson Democratic1990Marietta34 34 Valencia Seay Democratic2003Riverdale35 35 Donzella James Democratic2009College Park36 36 Nan Orrock Democratic2006Atlanta37 37 John Wiles Republican 2004Kennesaw38 38 Horacena Tate Democratic1998Atlanta39 39 Vincent Fort Democratic 1996Atlanta40 40 Dan Weber Republican 2004Dunwoody41 41 Steve Henson Democratic 2002Tucker42 42 David Adelman Democratic 2002Atlanta43 43 Ronald Ramsey, Jr. Democratic 2006Lithonia44 44 Gail Buckner Democratic 2008Jonesboro45 45 Renee Unterman Republican 2002Buford46 46 Bill Cowsert Republican 2006Athens47 47 Ralph Hudgens Republican 2002Hull48 48David Shafer Republican 2001Duluth49 49 Lee Hawkins Republican 2006Gainesville50 50 Jim Butterworth Republican 2008Cornelia51 51 Chip Pearson Republican 2004Dawsonville52 52 Preston Smith Republican 2002 Rome53 53 Jeff Mullis Republican 2000Chickamauga54 54 Don Thomas Republican 1996Dalton55 55 Gloria Butler Democratic 1999Stone Mountain56 56 Dan Moody Republican 2002Alpharetta Changes in membership from previous term While no seat changed party control from the previous session, the beginning of the 150th Georgia General Assembly still saw five new state senators. Two of these new senators defeated the incumbent in the runoff for their parties' primaries. Two replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Another replaced a senator who had retired. District Previous Subsequent Reason for change 2nd Regina Thomas (D) Lester Jackson (D) Ran for Congress 12th Michael Meyer von Bremen (D) Freddie Powell Sims (D) Ran for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals 13th Joseph Carter (R) John Crosby (R) Retired 44th Gail Davenport (D) Gail Buckner (D) Defeated in primary runoff 50th Nancy Schaefer (R) Jim Butterworth (R) Defeated in primary runoff Changes in membership during current term There have been three vacancies in the State Senate as of December 25, 2009. All three have been due to resignations. Two have since been filled, both by members of the same party as the former incumbent. Another vacancy is expected at some point during the term. Date seat became vacant District Previous Reason for change Subsequent Date of successor's taking office August 2009 35th Kasim Reed (D) Resigned to run for Mayor of Atlanta. A special election was held on November 3, 2009. Because no candidate gained a majority of the vote, a runoff was held December 1, 2009. Donzella James(D) September 15, 2009 1st Eric Johnson(R) Resigned to run for Governor of Georgia. A special election was held on November 3, 2009. Buddy Carter(R) November 9, 2009 22nd Ed Tarver(D) Resigned after being confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. A special election is to be held January 5, 2010 with a runoff, if necessary on February 2, 2010.http://sos.ga.gov/elections/Qualifying.htm Candidate Qualifying 2018-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20100404080441/http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections/qualifying.htm 2010-04-04 dead Hardie Davis(D)March 19, 2010 42nd David Adelman(D) Nominated by President Barack Obama as United States Ambassador to Singapore.https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-111909 President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 11/19/09 2018-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20170216173555/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-111909 2017-02-16 National Archives whitehouse.gov 19 November 2009 live If confirmed, Adelman will have to resign his State Senate seat, creating another vacancy. Jason Carter(D) Announced retirements As of December 25, 2009, six state senators have announced that they will not be running for re-election in 2010. One senator, Dan Moody (56th) is retiring.https://senatepress.net/sen-dan-moody-will-not-run-for-state-senate-in-2010.html Sen. Dan Moody Will Not Run for State Senate in 2010 – Georgia Senate Press Office The other five are seeking higher office. Jeff Chapman (3rd) is running for governor.http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_701521.shtml?v=0601 Brunswick Republican running for governor 090409 - the Augusta Chronicle 2009-12-25 2009-11-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20091101041956/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_701521.shtml?v=0601 dead Following State Insurance and Fire Commissioner John Oxendine's decision to run for governor, Seth Harp (29th) and Ralph Hudgens (47th)http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/031709/new_410989025.shtml Hudgens to run for state insurance commissioner | Athens Banner-Herald 2009-12-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20100116191544/http://onlineathens.com/stories/031709/new_410989025.shtml 2010-01-16 dead announced that they will seek the Republican nomination for the office. Lee Hawkins (49th) announced that he will run for the Congressional seat to be left open by incumbent Nathan Deal's campaign for governor. Finally, Gail Buckner is running for state secretary of state,http://www.gailbuckner.com/ Home gailbuckner.com August 8, 2022 January 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100114080212/http://gailbuckner.com/ dead a position she also ran for in 2006. Members of the House of Representatives 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 Ben Bridges Republican 2008 Clarkesville 11 Barbara Massey Reece Democratic 1998 Menlo 12 Rick Jasperse Republican 2010 Jasper 13 Katie Dempsey Republican 2006 Rome 14 Barry Loudermilk Republican 2010 Cassville 15 Paul Battles Republican 2008 Cartersville 16 Rick Crawford Democratic 2007 Cedartown 17 Howard R. Maxwell Republican 2002 Dallas 18 Mark Butler Republican 2010 Carrollton 19 Glenn Richardson 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 Tom Knox 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 Democratic 1990 Hartwell 30 Tom McCall Republican 1994 Elberton 31 Tommy Benton Republican 2004 Jefferson 32 Judy Manning Republican 1996 Marietta 33 Don Wix 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 Pat Dooley Democratic 2010 Marietta 39 Alisha Thomas Morgan Democratic 2002 Austell 40 Stacey Adams Democratic 2010 Atlanta 41 Sharon Cooper Republican 1996 Marietta 42 Don Parsons Republican 1994 Marietta 43 Bobby Franklin Republican 1996 Marietta 44 Sheila Jones Democratic 2004 Atlanta 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 Mark Burkhalter 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 D. Kaiser Democratic 2006 Atlanta 60 Georganna Sinkfield Democratic 2010 Atlanta 61 Ralph Long 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 Ron Dodson Democratic 2010 Jonesboro 76 Mike Glanton Democratic 2010 Jonesboro 77 Darryl Jordan Democratic 2000 Riverdale 78 Wade Starr Democratic 2008 Jonesboro 79 Fran Millar Republican 2010 Dunwoody 80 Mike Jacobs Republican 2004 Brookhaven 81 Jill Chambers Republican 2000 Atlanta 82 Kevin Levitas Democratic 2004 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 Randal Mangham Democratic 2010 Lithonia 95 Toney Collins Democratic 2010 Conyers 96 Pedro Rafael Marin Democratic 2002 Duluth 97 Brooks P. Coleman, Jr. Republican 1992 Duluth 98 Bobby C. Reese Republican 2010 Buford 99 Hugh Floyd Democratic 2002 Norcross 100 Brian W. Thomas Democratic 2004 Lilburn 101 Mike Coan Republican 2010 Lawrenceville 102 Clay Cox Republican 2004 Lilburn 103 David Casas Republican 2002 Lilburn 104 John Heard Republican 2004 Lawrenceville 105 Donna Sheldon Republican 2002 Dacula 106 Melvin Everson Republican 2006 Snellville 107 Len Walker Republican 2004 Loganville 108 Terry Lamar England Republican 2004 Auburn 109 Steve Davis Republican 2004 McDonough 110 John Lunsford Republican 2004 McDonough 111 Jeff May Republican 2004 Monroe 112 Doug Holt Republican 2004 Social Circle 113 Bob Smith Republican 2004 Watkinsville 114 Keith Heard Democratic 1992 Athens 115 Doug McKillip Democratic 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 "Wayne" Howard Democratic 2006 Augusta 122 Earnest Smith Democratic 2009 Augusta 123 Gloria Frazier Democratic 2006 Hephzibah 124 Sistie Hudson Democratic 1996 Sparta 125 Jim Cole Republican 2004 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 Democratic 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 Democratic 2008 Dry Branch 141 Rusty Kidd Independent 2009 Milledgeville 142 Mack Jackson Democratic 2008 Sandersville 143 DuBose Porter Democratic 1983 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 Austin Scott Republican 2004 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 Bob Lane Republican 1983 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 Burke Day Republican 2000 Savannah 164 Ron Stephens Republican 1996 Savannah 165 Al Williams Democratic 2002 Midway 166 Terry Barnard Republican 2004 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 Mike Keown Republican 2004 Thomasville 174 Ellis Black Democratic 2002 Valdosta 175 Amy Carter Democratic 2006 Valdosta 176 Jay Shaw Democratic 2004 Lakeland 177 Mark Hatfield Republican 2004 Waycross 178 Mark Williams Republican 2004 Jesup 179 Jerry Keen Republican 2004 Brunswick 180 Cecily Hill Republican 2004 Woodbine Major issues Severe budget cuts due to the Great Recession. Circumvention of the Georgia Public Service Commission, by allowing Georgia Power to charge power company customers (which includes most Georgians) for two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle years before they are built. The bill exempts businesses, putting the entire burden on residential customers. This passed in both chambers and was signed by the governor, but has been challenged in court as having raised revenue without being originated in the lower house. Proposed cuts in aid to counties, which reduce property taxes they must charge their residents. These were not cut, meaning that the state, rather than the counties, will have to cut over 400 million dollars from the fiscal 2010 (July 2009 to June 2010) budget. The massive food recall caused by the Peanut Corporation of America in Blakely, Georgia, and the role that the Georgia Department of Agriculture and lax state laws may have played in allowing it to happen. Food-processing companies will now be required to notify the state within 24 hours of any test results indicating contamination, among other changes. A bill to move MARTA oversight from MARTOC to GRTA, which did not pass. A bill to permanently remove the mandatory 50/50 split on capital expenditures, so that MARTA can postpone these and maintain service (operational expenditures) during periods of low sales tax revenue. The failure of the legislature to pass this means crippling cuts in MARTA service because it cannot access its reserve account, and the MARTA board has requested a special session to correct the situation. The Atlanta Regional Commission has suggested giving MARTA enough money from the U.S. stimulus act to get it to the 2010 legislative session with minimal cutbacks to the already-limited public transit system. Reinstatement of the sales tax on groceries, allegedly to target illegal immigrants. This failed. Elimination of sales taxes and annual ad valorem taxes on new cars, to be replaced by a car title transfer tax of 7%, including transfers between family members, and possibly to or from charities. This would also take a significant amount of money (the 2-4% local portion of the sales tax) away from local government. The 2000-dollar cap on the tax also would make it a regressive tax. This did not pass. Banning of all stem-cell research, passed by the Senate. Gutting most of the Georgia Department of Transportation, merging all of its planning authority into a new State Transportation Authority along with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the State Road and Tollway Authority. This failed, an instead other changes were made to put more power in the hands of state politicians. Changing state law in order to accept money for the state unemployment insurance fund from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the U.S. "stimulus act"). This became law, but no help will get to the unemployed until May 25. Requiring pickup truck and other truck drivers to wear their seat belts like other motorists have been for years. This failed again as in years past. Addition of a 200-dollar fine for excessive speeding, over 85 mph km/h 0 on expressways and over 75 mph km/h 0 on smaller roads. The money will go to trauma care in the state's hospitals. February 2011 See also Georgia (U.S. state) List of Georgia state legislatures References 30em External links Georgia General Assembly website 2009-2010 Representatives by Name, District 2009-2010 Senators by Name, District Category:Georgia (U.S. state) legislative sessions Category:2009 in American politics Category:2010 in American politics Category:2009 in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:2010 in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:2009 U.S. legislative sessions Category:2010 U.S. legislative sessions