Republicans elect new majority leader in Georgia House

State. Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington, a low-key member of House Speaker David Ralston’s leadership team, was elected majority leader on Monday afternoon.

Burns, chairman of the House Game, Fish & Parks Committee, replaces Larry O’Neal, R-Bonaire, who left the Legislature to accept a judicial appointment offered by Gov. Nathan Deal.

Burns defeated state Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, the author of Georgia’s new medical marijuana law.

State Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, a third candidate for the majority leadership, withdrew before nomination.

The House GOP caucus also elected state Rep. Bruce Williamson of Monroe as its secretary/treasurer. He defeated state Rep. Mike Dudgeon of Johns Creek.

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