Staff writer Greg Bluestein contributed to this article.
Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday appointed House Majority Leader Larry O'Neal to a judgeship, setting up a battle for the No. 3 spot in the state House.
Deal named O’Neal to be the sole judge for the Georgia Tax Tribunal, a 2-year-old court program aimed at resolving disputes between taxpayers and the Georgia Department of Revenue. O’Neal will replace Judge Charles Beaudrot, who was paid $142,272.26 in fiscal 2014, according to state records.
“He was vetted by the Judicial Nominating Commission,” Deal said. “He indicated an interest, and I asked the commission to review him.”
The commission in February recommended three other lawyers for the post.
O’Neal is a former chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax law, and is a longtime tax attorney in Middle Georgia.
In a letter to fellow House Republicans this week, O’Neal said, “I am excited about this incredible opportunity yet it is with a very heavy heart that, if this offer occurs, I will be resigning as Majority Leader and as the House member from District 146, effective midnight April 30th, 2015.”
His resignation has set off a scramble to replace him as majority leader, the No. 3 position in the House. Several candidates have already emerged, including Game, Fish & Parks Committee Chairman Jon Burns, R-Newington, and Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, the current Republican caucus secretary-treasurer.
“Speaker Ralston thinks highly of both Chairman Burns and Representative Peake,” said Kaleb McMichen, a spokesman for Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. “Knowing that other members may offer their names for consideration, it would be premature at this point to offer an endorsement.”
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