# 151st Georgia General Assembly
## Overview

The 151st General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia convened its first session on January 10, 2011, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The 151st Georgia General Assembly succeeded the 150th and served as the precedent for the 152nd General Assembly in 2013.

## Officers
### Senate
#### Presiding Officer

| Position | Position | Name | District | Party |
| | President | Casey Cagle | n/a | Republican |
| | President Pro Tempore | Tommie Williams | 19 | Republican |

#### Majority leadership

| Position | Name | District |
| Senate Majority Leader | Chip Rogers | 21 |
| Majority Caucus Chairman | Bill Cowsert | 46 |
| Majority Whip | Cecil Staton | 18 |

#### Minority leadership

| Position | Name | District |
| Senate Minority Leader | Robert Brown | 26 |
| Minority Caucus Chairman | Doug Stoner | 6 |
| Minority Whip | Steve Henson | 41 |

### House of Representatives
#### Presiding Officer

| Position | Position | Name | District | Party |
| | Speaker of the House | David Ralston | 7 | Republican |
| | Speaker Pro Tempore | Jan Jones | 46 | Republican |

#### Majority leadership

| Position | Name | District |
| House Majority Leader | Larry O'Neal | 146 |
| Majority Whip | Edward Lindsey | 54 |
| Majority Caucus Chairman | Donna Sheldon | 105 |
| Majority Caucus Vice Chairman | Matt Ramsey | 72 |
| Majority Caucus Sec./Treas. | Allen Peake | 137 |

#### Minority leadership

| Position | Name | District |
| House Minority Leader | Stacey Abrams | 84 |
| Minority Whip | Carolyn Hugley | 133 |
| Minority Caucus Chairman | Brian Thomas | 100 |
| Minority Caucus Vice Chairman | Rashad Taylor | 55 |
| Minority Caucus Secretary | Stephanie Stuckey Benfield | 85 |

## Members of the State Senate

| District | Senator | Party | First elected | Residence |
| 1 | Earl “Buddy” Carter | Republican | 2009 | Pooler |
| 2 | Lester Jackson | Democratic | 2008 | Savannah |
| 3 | William T. Ligon, Jr. | Republican | 2010 | Brunswick |
| 4 | Jack Hill | Republican | 1990 | Reidsville |
| 5 | Curt Thompson | Democratic | 2004 | Tucker |
| 6 | Doug Stoner | Democratic | 2004 | Smyrna |
| 7 | Greg Goggans | Republican | 2004 | Douglas |
| 8 | Tim Golden | Republican | 1998 | Valdosta |
| 9 | Don Balfour | Republican | 1992 | Snellville |
| 10 | Emanuel Jones | Democratic | 2004 | Decatur |
| 11 | John Bulloch | Republican | 2002 | Ockhocknee |
| 12 | Freddie Powell Sims | Democratic | 2008 | Dawson |
| 13 | John Crosby | Republican | 2008 | Tifton |
| 14 | George Hooks | Democratic | 1990 | Americus |
| 15 | Ed Harbison | Democratic | 1992 | Columbus |
| 16 | Ronnie Chance | Republican | 2004 | Tyrone |
| 17 | Rick Jeffares | Republican | 2010 | Locust Grove |
| 18 | Cecil Staton | Republican | 2004 | Macon |
| 19 | Tommie Williams | Republican | 1998 | Lyons |
| 20 | Ross Tolleson | Republican | 2002 | Perry |
| 21 | Chip Rogers | Republican | 2004 | Woodstock |
| 22 | Hardie Davis | Democratic | 2010 | Augusta |
| 23 | Jesse Stone | Republican | 2010 | Waynesboro |
| 24 | Bill Jackson | Republican | 2007 | Appling |
| 25 | Johnny Grant | Republican | 2004 | Milledgeville |
| 26 | Robert Brown | Democratic | 1991 | Macon |
| 27 | Jack Murphy | Republican | 2006 | Cumming |
| 28 | Mitch Seabaugh | Republican | 2000 | Sharpsburg |
| 29 | Joshua McKoon | Republican | 2010 | Columbus |
| 30 | Bill Hamrick | Republican | 1999 | Carrollton |
| 31 | Bill Heath | Republican | 2004 | Bremen |
| 32 | Judson Hill | Republican | 2004 | Marietta |
| 33 | Steve Thompson | Democratic | 1990 | Marietta |
| 34 | Valencia Seay | Democratic | 2003 | Riverdale |
| 35 | Donzella James | Democratic | 2009 | College Park |
| 36 | Nan Orrock | Democratic | 2006 | Atlanta |
| 37 | Lindsey Tippins | Republican | 2010 | Marietta |
| 38 | Horacena Tate | Democratic | 1998 | Atlanta |
| 39 | Vincent Fort | Democratic | 1996 | Atlanta |
| 40 | Fran Millar | Republican | 2010 | Atlanta |
| 41 | Steve Henson | Democratic | 2002 | Tucker |
| 42 | Jason Carter | Democratic | 2010 | Decatur |
| 43 | Ronald Ramsey, Sr. | Democratic | 2006 | Decatur |
| 44 | Gail Davenport | Democratic | 2010 | Jonesboro |
| 45 | Renee Unterman | Republican | 2002 | Buford |
| 46 | Bill Cowsert | Republican | 2006 | Athens |
| 47 | Frank Ginn | Republican | 2010 | Danielsville |
| 48 | David Shafer | Republican | 2001 | Duluth |
| 49 | Butch Miller | Republican | 2010 | Gainesville |
| 50 | Jim Butterworth | Republican | 2008 | Cornelia |
| 51 | Steve Gooch | Republican | 2010 | Dahlonega |
| 52 | Barry Loudermilk | Republican | 2010 | Cassville |
| 53 | Jeff Mullis | Republican | 2000 | Chickamauga |
| 54 | Charlie Bethel | Republican | 2010 | Dalton |
| 55 | Gloria Butler | Democratic | 1999 | Stone Mountain |
| 56 | John Albers | Republican | 2010 | Roswell |

### Changes in Membership from Previous Term

Two seats changed party control from the previous session, one due to defeat of an incumbent and the other due to a party switch (Tim Golden) the beginning of the 151st Georgia General Assembly saw thirteen new state senators. One defeated an incumbent in the general election, one defeated an incumbent in the primary, Six replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Five replaced a senator who had retired.
| District | Previous | Subsequent | Reason for change |
| 3rd | Jeff Chapman (R) | William T. Ligon, Jr. (R) | Ran for Governor |
| 17th | John Douglas (R) | Rick Jeffares (R) | Retired |
| 23rd | J.B. Powell (D) | Jesse Stone (R) | Ran for Agriculture Commissioner |
| 29th | Seth Harp (R) | Joshua McKoon (R) | Ran for Insurance Commissioner |
| 37th | John Wiles (R) | Lindsey Tippins (R) | Defeated in Primary Runoff |
| 40th | Dan Weber (R) | Fran Millar (R) | Retired |
| 44th | Gail Buckner (D) | Gail Davenport (D) | Ran for Secretary of State |
| 47th | Ralph Hudgens (R) | Frank Ginn (R) | Ran for Insurance Commissioner |
| 49th | Lee Hawkins (R) | Butch Miller (R) | Ran for Congress |
| 51st | Chip Pearson (R) | Steve Gooch (R) | Retired |
| 52nd | Preston Smith (R) | Barry Loudermilk (R) | Ran for Attorney General |
| 54th | Don Thomas (R) | Charlie Bethel (R) | Retired |
| 56th | Dan Moody (R) | John Albers (R) | Retired |

### Announced Retirements
## Members of the House of Representatives

| District | Representative | Party | First elected | Residence |
| 1 | Jay Neal | Republican | 2004 | LaFayette |
| 2 | Martin Scott | Republican | 2004 | Rossville |
| 3 | Tom Weldon | Republican | 2008 | Ringgold |
| 4 | Roger Williams | Republican | 2001 | Ringgold |
| 5 | John D. Meadows, III | Republican | 2004 | Calhoun |
| 6 | Tom Dickson | Republican | 2004 | Cohutta |
| 7 | David Ralston | Republican | 2002 | Blue Ridge |
| 8 | Stephen Allison | Republican | 2008 | Blairsville |
| 9 | Amos Amerson | Republican | 2000 | Dahlonega |
| 10 | Terry Rogers | Republican | 2008 | Clarkesville |
| 11 | Barbara Massey Reece | Democratic | 1998 | Menlo |
| 12 | Rick Jasperse | Republican | 2010 | Jasper |
| 13 | Katie Dempsey | Republican | 2006 | Rome |
| 14 | Christian Coomer | Republican | 2010 | Cartersville |
| 15 | Paul Battles | Republican | 2008 | Cartersville |
| 16 | Rick Crawford | Democratic | 2007 | Cedartown |
| 17 | Howard R. Maxwell | Republican | 2002 | Dallas |
| 18 | Kevin Cooke | Republican | 2010 | Carrollton |
| 19 | Paulette Braddock | Republican | 2010 | Hiram |
| 20 | Charlice H. Byrd | Republican | 2004 | Woodstock |
| 21 | Calvin Hill | Republican | 2002 | Canton |
| 22 | Sean Jerguson | Republican | 2006 | Holly Springs |
| 23 | Mark Hamilton | Republican | 2006 | Cumming |
| 24 | Mike Dudgeon | Republican | 2010 | Suwanee |
| 25 | James Mills | Republican | 1992 | Gainesville |
| 26 | Carl Rogers | Republican | 1994 | Gainesville |
| 27 | Doug Collins | Republican | 2006 | Gainesville |
| 28 | Michael Harden | Republican | 2008 | Toccoa |
| 29 | Alan Powell | Republican | 1990 | Hartwell |
| 30 | Tom McCall | Republican | 1994 | Elberton |
| 31 | Tommy Benton | Republican | 2004 | Jefferson |
| 32 | Judy Manning | Republican | 1996 | Marietta |
| 33 | David Wilkerson | Democratic | 2010 | Austell |
| 34 | Rich Golick | Republican | 1998 | Smyrna |
| 35 | Ed Setzler | Republican | 2004 | Acworth |
| 36 | Earl Ehrhart | Republican | 1988 | Powder Springs |
| 37 | Terry Johnson | Democratic | 2004 | Marietta |
| 38 | Sam Teasley | Republican | 2010 | Marietta |
| 39 | Alisha Thomas Morgan | Democratic | 2002 | Austell |
| 40 | Stacey Adams | Democratic | 2010 | Smyrna |
| 41 | Sharon Cooper | Republican | 1996 | Marietta |
| 42 | Don Parsons | Republican | 1994 | Marietta |
| 43 | Bobby Franklin | Republican | 1996 | Marietta |
| 44 | Sheila Jones | Democratic | 2004 | Smyrna |
| 45 | Matt Dollar | Republican | 2002 | Marietta |
| 46 | Jan Jones | Republican | 2003 | Milton |
| 47 | Chuck Martin | Republican | 2002 | Alpharetta |
| 48 | Harry Geisinger | Republican | 2004 | Roswell |
| 49 | Wendell Willard | Republican | 2000 | Sandy Springs |
| 50 | Lynne Riley | Republican | 2010 | Johns Creek |
| 51 | Tom Rice | Republican | 1996 | Norcross |
| 52 | Joe Wilkinson | Republican | 2000 | Atlanta |
| 53 | Elly Dobbs | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 54 | Edward Lindsey | Republican | 2004 | Atlanta |
| 55 | Rashad Taylor | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 56 | Kathy Ashe | Democratic | 1990 | Atlanta |
| 57 | Pat Gardner | Democratic | 2001 | Atlanta |
| 58 | Simone Bell | Democratic | 2009 | Atlanta |
| 59 | Margaret Kaiser | Democratic | 2006 | Atlanta |
| 60 | Gloria Bromell Tinubu | Democratic | 2010 | Atlanta |
| 61 | Ralph Long, III | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 62 | Joe Heckstall | Democratic | 1994 | East Point |
| 63 | Tyrone L. Brooks, Sr. | Democratic | 1980 | Atlanta |
| 64 | Roger B. Bruce | Democratic | 2002 | Atlanta |
| 65 | Sharon Beasley-Teague | Democratic | 1992 | Red Oak |
| 66 | Virgil Fludd | Democratic | 2002 | Tyrone |
| 67 | Bill Hembree | Republican | 1998 | Winston |
| 68 | Tim Bearden | Republican | 2004 | Villa Rica |
| 69 | Randy Nix | Republican | 2006 | LaGrange |
| 70 | Lynn Ratigan Smith | Republican | 1996 | Newnan |
| 71 | Billy Horne | Republican | 2004 | Newnan |
| 72 | Matt Ramsey | Republican | 2006 | Peachtree City |
| 73 | John P. Yates | Republican | 1988 | Griffin |
| 74 | Roberta Abdul-Salaam | Democratic | 2004 | Riverdale |
| 75 | Yasmin Neal | Democratic | 2010 | Jonesboro |
| 76 | Sandra Scott | Democratic | 2010 | Rex |
| 77 | Darryl Jordan | Democratic | 2000 | Riverdale |
| 78 | Glenn Baker | Democratic | 2008 | Jonesboro |
| 79 | Tom Taylor | Republican | 2010 | Dunwoody |
| 80 | Mike Jacobs | Republican | 2004 | Atlanta |
| 81 | Elena Parent | Democratic | 2010 | Atlanta |
| 82 | Scott Holcomb | Democratic | 2010 | Atlanta |
| 83 | Mary Margaret Oliver | Democratic | 2002 | Decatur |
| 84 | Stacey Abrams | Democratic | 2006 | Atlanta |
| 85 | Stephanie Stuckey Benfield | Democratic | 1998 | Atlanta |
| 86 | Karla Drenner | Democratic | 2000 | Avondale Estates |
| 87 | Michele D. Henson | Democratic | 1990 | Stone Mountain |
| 88 | Billy Mitchell | Democratic | 2002 | Stone Mountain |
| 89 | Earnest "Coach" Williams | Democratic | 2002 | Avondale Estates |
| 90 | Howard Mosby | Democratic | 2002 | Atlanta |
| 91 | Rahn Mayo | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 92 | Pam Stephenson | Democratic | 2002 | Decatur |
| 93 | Dee Dawkins-Haigler | Democratic | 2008 | Lithonia |
| 94 | Dar'shun Kendrick | Democratic | 2010 | Lithonia |
| 95 | Pam Dickerson | Democratic | 2010 | Conyers |
| 96 | Pedro Rafael Marin | Democratic | 2002 | Duluth |
| 97 | Brooks P. Coleman, Jr. | Republican | 1992 | Duluth |
| 98 | Josh Clark | Republican | 2010 | Buford |
| 99 | Hugh Floyd | Democratic | 2002 | Norcross |
| 100 | Brian W. Thomas | Democratic | 2004 | Lilburn |
| 101 | Buzz Brockway | Republican | 2010 | Lawrenceville |
| 102 | B.J. Pak | Republican | 2010 | Lilburn |
| 103 | David Casas | Republican | 2002 | Lilburn |
| 104 | Valerie Clark | Republican | 2010 | Lawrenceville |
| 105 | Donna Sheldon | Republican | 2002 | Dacula |
| 106 | Brett Harrell | Republican | 2010 | Snellville |
| 107 | Tom Kirby | Republican | 2011 | Loganville |
| 108 | Terry Lamar England | Republican | 2004 | Auburn |
| 109 | Steve Davis | Republican | 2004 | McDonough |
| 110 | Andrew Welch | Republican | 2010 | McDonough |
| 111 | Bruce Williamson | Republican | 2010 | Monroe |
| 112 | Doug Holt | Republican | 2004 | Social Circle |
| 113 | VACANT | | | |
| 114 | Keith Heard | Democratic | 1992 | Athens |
| 115 | Doug McKillip | Republican | 2006 | Athens |
| 116 | Mickey Channell | Republican | 2002 | Greensboro |
| 117 | Lee Anderson | Republican | 2008 | Grovetown |
| 118 | Ben L. Harbin | Republican | 1994 | Evans |
| 119 | Barbara Sims | Republican | 2006 | Augusta |
| 120 | Quincy Murphy | Democratic | 2002 | Augusta |
| 121 | Henry Howard | Democratic | 2006 | Augusta |
| 122 | Earnest Smith | Democratic | 2009 | Augusta |
| 123 | Gloria Frazier | Democratic | 2006 | Hephzibah |
| 124 | Sistie Hudson | Democratic | 1996 | Sparta |
| 125 | Susan Holmes | Republican | 2010 | Monticello |
| 126 | David Knight | Republican | 2004 | Griffin |
| 127 | Billy Maddox | Republican | 2007 | Zebulon |
| 128 | Carl Von Epps | Democratic | 1992 | LaGrange |
| 129 | Kip Smith | Republican | 2009 | Columbus |
| 130 | Debbie Buckner | Democratic | 2002 | Junction City |
| 131 | Richard H. Smith | Republican | 2004 | Columbus |
| 132 | Calvin Smyre | Democratic | 1974 | Columbus |
| 133 | Carolyn Hugley | Democratic | 1992 | Columbus |
| 134 | Mike Cheokas | Republican | 2004 | Americus |
| 135 | Lynmore James | Democratic | 1992 | Montezuma |
| 136 | Robert Dickey | Republican | 2011 | Musella |
| 137 | Allen Peake | Republican | 2006 | Macon |
| 138 | Nikki Randall | Democratic | 1999 | Macon |
| 139 | David E. Lucas, Sr. | Democratic | 1975 | Macon |
| 140 | Bubber Epps | Republican | 2008 | Dry Branch |
| 141 | Rusty Kidd | Independent | 2009 | Milledgeville |
| 142 | Mack Jackson | Democratic | 2008 | Sandersville |
| 143 | Matt Hatchett | Republican | 2010 | Dublin |
| 144 | Jimmy Pruett | Republican | 2006 | Eastman |
| 145 | Willie Lee Talton | Republican | 2004 | Warner Robins |
| 146 | Larry O'Neal | Republican | 2001 | Bonaire |
| 147 | Buddy Harden | Republican | 2008 | Cordele |
| 148 | Bob Hanner | Republican | 1975 | Parrott |
| 149 | Gerald E. Greene | Republican | 1982 | Cuthbert |
| 150 | Winfred J. Dukes | Democratic | 1996 | Albany |
| 151 | Carol Fullerton | Democratic | 2008 | Albany |
| 152 | Ed Rynders | Republican | 2002 | Albany |
| 153 | Tony McBrayer | Republican | 2010 | Tifton |
| 154 | Jay Roberts | Republican | 2002 | Ocilla |
| 155 | Greg Morris | Republican | 1998 | Vidalia |
| 156 | Larry "Butch" Parrish | Republican | 1984 | Swainsboro |
| 157 | Jon G. Burns | Republican | 2004 | Newington |
| 158 | Jan Tankersley | Republican | 2010 | Brooklet |
| 159 | Ann Purcell | Republican | 2009 | Rincon |
| 160 | Bob Bryant | Democratic | 2004 | Garden City |
| 161 | Mickey Stephens | Democratic | 2008 | Savannah |
| 162 | J. Craig Gordon | Democratic | 2006 | Savannah |
| 163 | Ben Watson | Republican | 2010 | Savannah |
| 164 | Ron Stephens | Republican | 1996 | Savannah |
| 165 | Al Williams | Democratic | 2002 | Midway |
| 166 | Delvis Dutton | Republican | 2010 | Glennville |
| 167 | Roger Bert Lane | Republican | 2004 | Darien |
| 168 | Tommy Smith | Republican | 1978 | Nicholls |
| 169 | Chuck Sims | Republican | 1996 | Ambrose |
| 170 | Penny Houston | Republican | 1998 | Nashville |
| 171 | Jay Powell | Republican | 2008 | Camilla |
| 172 | Gene Maddox | Republican | 2004 | Cairo |
| 173 | Darlene Taylor | Republican | 2010 | Thomasville |
| 174 | Ellis Black | Republican | 2002 | Valdosta |
| 175 | Amy Carter | Republican | 2006 | Valdosta |
| 176 | Jason Shaw | Republican | 2010 | Lakeland |
| 177 | Mark Hatfield | Republican | 2004 | Waycross |
| 178 | Chad Nimmer | Republican | 2011 | Blackshear |
| 179 | Alex Atwood | Republican | 2010 | Brunswick |
| 180 | Jason Spencer | Republican | 2010 | Woodbine |

### Changes in Membership from Previous Term

Fourteen seats changed party control from the previous session, three due to defeat of an incumbent, three due to retirements/resignation or runs for other office and the other eight due to a party switch from the Democrats to the Republicans (Ellis Black, Amy Carter, Mike Cheokas, Bubber Epps, Gerald E. Greene, Bob Hanner, Doug McKillip, Alan Powell) the beginning of the 151st Georgia General Assembly saw thirty-four new representatives. One defeated an incumbent in the primary, three in the primary run-off, ten replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Sixteen replaced a representative who had retired.
| District | Previous | Subsequent | Reason for change |
| 14th | Barry Loudermilk (R) | Christian Coomer (R) | Ran for State Senate |
| 18th | Mark Butler (R) | Kevin Cooke (R) | Ran for Labor Commissioner |
| 19th | Daniel Stout (R) | Paulette Braddock (R) | Defeated in Primary Runoff |
| 24th | Tom Knox (R) | Mike Dudgeon (R) | Ran for Insurance Commissioner |
| 33rd | Don Wix (D) | David Wilkerson (D) | Defeated in Primary |
| 38th | Pat Dooley (D) | Sam Teasley (R) | Defeated in General |
| 40th | Rob Teilhet (D) | Stacey Evans (D) | Ran for Attorney General |
| 50th | Mark Burkhalter (R) | Lynne Riley (R) | Retired |
| 60th | Georganna Sinkfield (D) | Gloria Bromell Tinubu (D) | Ran for Secretary of State |
| 75th | Ron Dodson (D) | Yasmin Neal (D) | Retired |
| 76th | Mike Glanton (D) | Sandra Scott (D) | Retired |
| 79th | Fran Millar (R) | Tom Taylor (R) | Ran for State Senate |
| 81st | Jill Chambers (R) | Elena Parent (D) | Defeated in General |
| 82nd | Kevin Levitas (D) | Scott Holcomb (D) | Retired |
| 94th | Randal Mangham (D) | Dar'shun Kendrick (D) | Ran for Governor |
| 95th | Toney Collins (D) | Pam Dickerson (D) | Defeated in Primary Runoff |
| 98th | Bobby Reese (R) | Josh Clark (R) | Retired |
| 101st | Mike Coan (R) | Buzz Brockway (R) | Retired |
| 102nd | Clay Cox (R) | B.J. Pak (R) | Retired |
| 104th | Lee Thompson (D) | Valerie Clark (R) | Defeated in General |
| 106th | Melvin Everson (R) | Brett Harrell (R) | Retired |
| 110th | John Lunsford (R) | Andrew Welch (R) | Retired |
| 111th | Jeff May (R) | Bruce Williamson (R) | Retired |
| 113th | Bob Smith (R) | Hank Huckaby (R) | Retired |
| 125th | Jim Cole (R) | Susan Holmes (R) | Retired |
| 143rd | DuBose Porter (D) | Matt Hatchett (R) | Ran for Governor |
| 153rd | Austin Scott (R) | Tony McBrayer (R) | Ran for Congress |
| 158th | Bob Lane (R) | Jan Tankersley (R) | Retired |
| 163rd | Burke Day (R) | Ben Watson (R) | Retired |
| 166th | Terry Barnard (R) | Delvis Dutton (R) | Retired |
| 173rd | Mike Keown (R) | Darlene Taylor (R) | Ran for Congress |
| 176th | Jay Shaw (D) | Jason Shaw (R) | Resigned |
| 179th | Jerry Keen (R) | Alex Atwood (R) | Retired |
| 180th | Cecily A. Hill (R) | Jason Spencer (R) | Defeated in Primary Runoff |

### Changes in Membership During Current Term

| Date seat became vacant | District | Previous | Reason for change | Subsequent | Date of successor's taking office |
| November 30, 2010 | 136th | Tony Sellier (R) | Died of Congestive Heart Failure. | Robert Dickey (R) | February 16, 2011 |
| December 9, 2010 | 178th | Mark Williams (R) | Resigned to serve as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. | Chad Nimmer (R) | February 16, 2011 |