Rep. Tommy Benton is backing an effort to oust Rep. Glenn Richardson as speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.
Benton, (R-Jefferson) is among a handful of disgruntled legislators who were scheduled today (Wednesday) to announce support for Rep. David Ralston, Blue Ridge, in challenging Richardson, who is best known as the author of legislation attempting to replace property taxes throughout Georgia with an increased sales tax.
“I’m supporting Mr. Ralston,” said Benton by phone from Oklahoma, as he returned from a conference.
Benton listed Rep. Terry England, Winder; Rep. Tim Beard, Carrollton; Rep. John Meadows, Calhoun; and Rep. Doug Collins, Gainesville, as other key supporters of the insurrection.
“I think we’ve got the votes,” he said. “If we are unsuccessful with this, you’ll probably see my office in the island of Nod somewhere with the others.”
The speaker will be elected on the first day of the legislative session in January. First, however, the Republican and Democratic caucuses will select their nominees for the position.
“The (Republican) vote will not be taken, I am almost assured, until after the November election,” Benton explained. “It will be taken by the Republican caucus as to who our nominee for speaker will be. The Republicans will have their nominee and the Democrats will have their nominee.”
Richardson was a lightning rod for criticism of the House between his property tax legislation and his penchant for threatening to punish Republican members of the House who dared to oppose him. He also got in rifts with Gov. Sonny Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.
“It had gotten to the point where we were becoming more and more isolated,” Benton said. “It is all right to be independent, but to continually do things to isolate the House ... there were some things that were done that a lot of us didn’t like. We just felt like it was time for a change.”
The legislators timed the announcement of their intentions until after the primary election, Benton said, so as not to detract from the election.
“We didn’t want it to take center stage when there are people who are running for their political lives,” he explained. “We feel like there are four major races (challenges to House Republicans by other Republicans) as a result of what was going on. Those are races we are concerned with as a caucus.”
