CORNERSTONE 2018 ELECTION ANALYSIS
the Senate will have a new presiding officer with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan taking the gavel. Duncan will replace current Republican Lt. Gov., Casey Cagle, who lost to Kemp in the GOP primary for Governor. The Senate leadership will likely remain the same with Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R) in charge of Senate Republicans. State House
Most, if not all, of the competitive races were in the metro counties of Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett and saw a number of incumbents lose their seats. The House will see several new members when the 2019 session convenes on Jan. 14. House Republicans controlled 114 seats prior to election day and saw their number reduced by 10, leaving them with 104 members. This year, 12 sitting Chairmen announced their retirement or resignation, so Speaker David Ralston (R) will be busy appointing new members to Chairmanships as well as electing a new Majority Whip. The House has spent the past two years traveling the state to discuss the challenges of rural Georgia so expect to see a legislative effort focused on rural Georgia in the 2019 session. Summary
With control of the Governor’s office, House and Senate, the Republicans will be able to pursue their agenda with few obstacles in January. Their agenda is likely to include statewide highspeed broadband access, growing small businesses, teacher pay increases, and access to healthcare in rural areas.
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