David Ralston’s demise took everyone by surprise.
David Ralston, a state legislator and Speaker of the Georgia House, breathed his last at the age of 68. His death was confirmed in a news release by publicist Kaleb McMichen.
Confirming his passing, a statement mentioned that Ralston’s wife and family were present at the time of his passing.
After a lingering illness, Ralston’s team disclosed his demise to Channel 2 Action News on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
This information followed Ralston’s announcement earlier in the month stating his resignation as a speaker due to his failing health.
At that time, Ralston expressed, ‘the House requires a speaker who can dedicate the necessary time and attention to the role. I hold the House in high regard and wish success for the honorable individuals who serve in it.’
Republican Ralston of Blue Ridge first secured a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002. Before that, Ralston served as a senator for Georgia from 1992 to 1998.
Ralston cited health challenges as the reason for his decision not to pursue the position of House Speaker in the upcoming legislative session.
The Republicans chose state representative Jon Burns as their nominee for Georgia House speaker on Monday, and Burns is expected to secure the position.
In addition, the governor issued an executive decree mandating that flags be flown at half-mast from this point onward during Ralston’s burial.
Furthermore, it specifies that his body is to lie in state in the Rotunda beneath the Gold Dome.
Impact of David Ralston’s Demise on His Peers
The new Speaker expressed in a statement:
‘I am devastated by the death of Speaker David Ralston. Beyond losing a political luminary for Georgia, I have also lost a dear friend. Speaker Ralston was a strong and selfless leader who always prioritized the interests of Georgians over his own. He was a steadfast companion who was consistently ready to provide wise counsel and assistance. Our state will deeply miss him. I will forever miss him.’
‘Speaker Ralston left an enduring mark on this state and was a trailblazer in the advancement of Georgia’s Republican leadership. His historic reduction in income tax, which will leave more money in taxpayers’ pockets for years to come, aid to Georgians in combatting inflation, and the passage of his groundbreaking mental health reform law will ensure that his final session as speaker is remembered for a long time. We are particularly proud of our past bipartisan efforts to overhaul Georgia’s anti-hate crime statute and amend the state’s citizens’ arrest law, both of which would not have been possible without the Speaker’s determined leadership. These significant accomplishments were just a few of the numerous contributions David Ralston made to Georgia throughout his extensive career.’
‘Sheree, the entire Ralston family, as well as current and former House members, staff, and his colleagues at the Capitol are all in our thoughts and prayers, as are Marty, the daughters, and I. Our family lost a beloved friend, our state lost one of its giants, and all Georgians lost a true leader today.’
On Wednesday, his friends and supporters mourned his departure. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), who collaborated with Ralston in the state Senate in the 1990s, described it as a significant loss for Georgia.
