Republicans tap Ramsey majority whip – Atlanta Business Chronicle

Republicans in the Georgia House of Representatives chose a major portion of their leadership team Friday to succeed lawmakers leaving the General Assembly to run for Congress.

Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, defeated Rep. Jay Powell, R-Camilla, in a secret ballot for majority whip, the top leadership post up for grabs.

Ramsey, a lawyer, is best known for sponsoring Georgia’s 2011 crackdown on illegal immigration.

During a speech to members of the Republican Caucus before Friday’s vote, he promised to work hard to address the challenges facing the legislature, including a growing population placing ever-increasing demands on state government and an accelerated political calendar thanks to a recent federal court order.

Georgia’s party primaries will held in May of next year instead of July, forcing candidate qualifying into March when the General Assembly likely will still be in session.

“We’re going to have to be on our game from Day One coming into the next session,” Ramsey said. “If we make a mistake … it could have disastrous consequences.”

Republicans also chose Rep. Matt Hatchett, R-Dublin, to serve as chairman of the GOP caucus and Rep. Sam Teasley, R-Marietta, to serve as vice chairman.

Hatchett replaces former Rep. Donna Sheldon, R-Dacula, who resigned from the Georgia House to run for Congress.

via Republicans tap Ramsey majority whip – Atlanta Business Chronicle.