David Ralston Archives - Tennessee Star

David Ralston Might Run for Georgia U.S. Senate Seat

June 3, 2021June 2, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) might run for the U.S. Senate next year, although he said he hasn’t decided for certain. Ralston appeared on Georgia Public Broadcasting late last week and praised U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Ralston also said the country’s current direction troubles him. If he does serve in the U.S. Senate then he said his tenure as Georgia Speaker of the House will help guide him.

Georgia House Members Pass Tax-Cutting Legislation

March 5, 2021March 4, 2021 Chris Butler

Members of the Georgia House of Representatives this week passed four pieces of legislation that they said will cut taxes for Georgia families and businesses and create jobs and expand economic opportunity across the state. These measures include the Tax Relief Act of 2021, the Georgia Economic Recovery Act of 2021, the Georgia Economic Renewal Act of 2021, and the reauthorization of the House Rural Development Council.

Georgia Lawmakers This Week Propose Additional Ways to Reform State Elections

March 4, 2021March 3, 2021 Chris Butler

Officials at the Georgia General Assembly this week proposed what they said were new methods to reform Georgia’s elections. House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) proposed that the Georgia Department of Driver Services offer state ID cards, free, to all eligible Georgians.

Georgia Chamber of Commerce Influences David Ralston in Ways Average Georgians Won’t Like, Former Legislator Says

March 2, 2021March 1, 2021 Chris Butler

A former state representative said the Georgia Chamber of Commerce influences the agenda of House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), even though that agenda favors large corporate entities and sometimes frustrates average Georgians’ best interests. As The Georgia Star News reported last week, former State Rep. Jeff Jones said “the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is not the friend of the average Georgia citizen.”

Georgia State Rep Removed from Chamber for Refusing COVID Test

January 28, 2021January 27, 2021 Peter D'Abrosca

A member of the Georgia State House was removed from the Chamber Tuesday for refusing to take the state lawmakers’ mandated twice-weekly COVID-19 test.

“House Speaker David Ralston interrupted Tuesday morning’s session to call out an unnamed house member for refusing to get the required twice a week COVID-19 test,” according to WSBTV. “While he didn’t mention the Gwinnett County lawmaker by name, Ralston ordered Rep. David Clark (R-Buford) out of the chamber.”

Senator Rand Paul, Likely Citing Georgia, Says Secretaries of State Violated Constitution in 2020 Election

January 25, 2021January 24, 2021 Chris Butler

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) didn’t cite Georgia by name, but he said Sunday that officials in different states may have enabled voting irregularities to occur last year. And if that did happen then Paul said he wants to help repair the damage.

Georgia Republican Officials Want Photo ID for Voting in Future Elections

January 24, 2021January 23, 2021 Chris Butler

Republican officials at the Georgia State Capital want to require photo ID for absentee ballots in the state. This, according to a new report on the Atlanta-based WABE. The station is affiliated with National Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde Describes How Georgia Must Prioritize Election Security

January 23, 2021January 22, 2021 Chris Butler

U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09) said this week that election season is over in Georgia and government officials must now secure the integrity of how people vote. Clyde submitted a column to The Washington Examiner and said state-level officials, during this year’s session of the Georgia General Assembly, are prioritizing the issue of voter integrity. He also seemed to criticize Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for how he managed last year’s elections.

Georgia House Appoints New Committee Chairmen, Democrats Gain One Chair

January 23, 2021January 22, 2021 Corinne Murdock

The Georgia House of Representatives recognized 8 new committee chairmen, with House Democrats earning one chair. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) was appointed to chair the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee (MARTOC), a statutory body overseeing the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) budget.

Oliver was the only Democrat appointed to chair a committee; no Democrats chair any of the subcommittees or special committees either. MARTOC’s designation as a joint committee means that it doesn’t handle legislation, and members don’t vote with the MARTA Board of Directors.

Ralston: Georgia Lawmakers to Address Election Reform, COVID-19 Relief in Legislative Session

January 8, 2021January 7, 2021 The Center Square

Election policy reform will be a top priority for Georgia lawmakers when the General Assembly convenes next week, House Speaker David Ralston said Thursday.

Ralston said he plans to appoint a special committee on election integrity to increase confidence in the state’s voting process.

Georgia House Speaker Announces New Special Election Integrity Committee; Fellow Legislator Questions Motives

January 8, 2021January 7, 2021 Corinne Murdock

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) will select a committee to address election integrity, but a fellow legislator questioned his motives.

During a press conference on Thursday, Ralston revealed that the General Assembly would address election law reforms as early as next week. He noted that he would appoint a special committee to undertake election integrity reforms and investigations to ensure confidence in future elections.

State Rep. Alleges Georgia House Speaker David Ralston ‘Lied to Trump’ About Following Through on Efforts to Convene a Special Session

December 20, 2020December 20, 2020 Chris Butler

In an interview with The Georgia Star News on Friday, State Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), alleged that Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has no intention to follow through on a promise he made to President Trump in a phone call earlier this month.

Clark alleged that in that phone conversation, Ralston promised President Trump he would use his power and influence to convene a special session of the Georgia General Assembly, for the purpose of reviewing the qualifications of Electors in the aftermath of the November 3rd election, fraught with allegations of voter fraud.

Gov. Brian Kemp Silent on Whether He Might Use Powers to Move Date of Georgia U.S. Senate Races to February

December 9, 2020December 8, 2020 Chris Butler

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp would not say Tuesday whether he favors a special legislative session to change the date of the state’s two U.S. Senate elections from January 5 to February 1 of next year. Moving back the date might give members of the Georgia General Assembly additional time to coordinate and develop ways to prevent potential election fraud.

Georgia GOP Revolt: Beach, Senators Lead Uprising Against Gov. Kemp-Demand Special Session

November 19, 2020November 18, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Eleven of Georgia’s state senators are petitioning Governor Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to amend election law, according to State Senator Brandon Beach (R-GA-Cherokee County). These legislators have also asked for an immediate oversight committee to look into the general election and rectify any mistakes prior to the January 5th runoff election.

Beach explained to The Georgia Star that widespread concern over the consent decree, voting discrepancies, and residency requirements have compromised faith in the upcoming runoff election.

Famed Attorney Lin Wood Blows the Doors off Alleged Georgia Vote Scam; Predicts New Election

November 17, 2020November 22, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Attorney Lincoln “Lin” Wood Jr. stated that Georgia may undergo another election if his lawsuit succeeds.

Wood is best known for his work with high-profile clients such as Richard Jewell, JonBenet Ramsey’s parents, Gary Condit, and Kobe Bryant’s alleged victim. Most recently, Wood made headlines for defending teenagers Nicholas Sandmann and Jacob Blake.