Richardson wins vote to remain Ga. House speaker

House Speaker Glenn Richardson easily beat back a challenge to his leadership from within his Republican Party Monday.

That all but assures Richardson, a mercurial leader who said he has changed his ways, another two-year term as speaker.

Enlarge this image

Glenn Ricahrdson

Recent headlines:

[an error occurred while processing this directive]    • Metro and state news

A vote of the full 180-member House will take place when lawmakers begin the 2009 session on Jan. 12. However, because the GOP holds a 105-75 majority, the Republican caucus’ choice Monday will almost certainly prevail.

Richardson (R-Hiram) beat Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) on a 75-25 vote.

A move by upstart Republicans to oust House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island) also failed Monday. Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta), was voted in as House Majority Whip.

Richardson has earned a reputation for being quick-tempered and combative, even with members of his own party. He led the charge to overturn vetoes by Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue and he called on Georgians to oust GOP Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle earlier this year when the Senate leader blocked his tax-cut plan.

During his address to the House Republican Caucus Monday, Ralston said it was time for a more conciliatory approach.

“We as a body must have change, and that change must begin today, and it ought to start in our Republican family,” he said.

“I don’t believe good leadership is grounded in fear or intimidation or fear of retribution.”

Richardson, meanwhile, spent much of his speech to the caucus praising the House Republicans’ progress. He lauded their political gains in the General Assembly and their work on issues ranging from ethics reform to abortion.

“I am convinced we have the right ideas at the right time. I am convinced the best days are ahead of us because we will be the shining light of Republicans in this country,” he said.

Richardson also told fellow Republicans he has changed.

“I will be the first to tell you I have made mistakes along the way. But I will tell you this also, I have learned from the mistakes.”

House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), who nominated Richardson for another term, said he believes the speaker has grown.

“He has said frequently this year that he’s come to learn that just because he thinks it, it doesn’t mean he has to say it. This is an individual who is striving to be better.”

Richardson has maintained a low profile since he ended the 2008 session verbally pummeling Cagle. He has spent much of his time working to get Republican House candidates elected.

He regularly attended fund-raisers for candidates. He gave the state GOP $175,000 and individual Republican candidates more than $80,000 to help them in their cause.

In the end, the House GOP only lost two seats in a year in which Republicans feared higher casualties because of Democrat Barack Obama’s popularity.

After Monday’s vote, Richardson was asked if there will be repercussions for Ralston and lawmakers who backed him. The speaker would only say that committee appointments will be made in January and “we will look at all the factors for who the best qualified people are for the jobs.”

Ralston’s challenge isn’t the first a speaker has faced in Georgia. Tom Murphy ran the House with an iron fist from 1974 through 2002, when he was defeated for re-election. Murphy faced an uprising from younger members calling for reform in 1992. He won the Democratic caucus vote that year 102-25 over Rep. DuBose Porter (D-Dublin), who now serves as House minority leader.