After they tied on a first ballot, we're told that David Shafer, R-Duluth, beat Butch Miller, R-Gainesville, in his bid for re-election as president pro tem of the state Senate. This is the No. 2 leadership position in the chamber, just below Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.
Miller had originally announced for majority leader, but in the days following the Nov. 4 election, he had decided to aim higher.
In the race for Senate majority leader, Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, defeated Judson Hill, R-Marietta. This was the open seat, owing to the exit of Ronnie Chance, R-Tyrone, from the state Senate.
In a contest for majority whip, the position given up by Cowsert, Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, defeated John Albers, R-Roswell.
The elections, conducted within the Senate Republican caucus, were a private affair that occurred at the Commerce Club in downtown Atlanta. Vote totals were not made available.
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