Carolyn Hugley Set to Become Georgia House’s First Black Woman Speaker
Rep. Carolyn Hugley of Columbus is on track to make history as the first Black woman to hold the Georgia House speakership, after Democrats nominated her for the post on November 12. She was unopposed for the nomination and has spent three decades in the General Assembly, most recently as majority leader. The full House must still convene to choose its speaker.
Democrats also nominated Rep. Billy Mitchell of DeKalb County as speaker pro tem, Rep. Stacey Evans of Cobb County as majority leader, Rep. Sam Park of Gwinnett County as majority whip and Rep. Spencer Frye of Athens-Clarke County as majority chair. The caucus made its selections in a closed-door vote at the state Capitol in Atlanta.
The party’s new House majority marks its first control of the chamber since Republicans took over after the 2004 election. Hugley’s expected rise follows an election in which Keisha Lance Bottoms made history as the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Democrats captured nearly all of Georgia’s elected constitutional offices, while Josh McLaurin was elected lieutenant governor.
Hugley and other Democratic leaders named affordability, quality of life, cost-of-living concerns and Medicaid expansion as priorities. They said they have more proposals than they can immediately pursue and urged patience. Republicans retain a narrow majority in the state Senate, and House Democrats have not announced a legislative calendar or timeline for their proposals.
Georgia Voters Put Democrats in Charge of the House, With Hugley Poised to Lead
Georgia Democrats are preparing to put a veteran lawmaker and historic first at the head of the state House. The caucus nominated Rep. Carolyn Hugley of Columbus on November 12 to make her the first Black woman to hold the speakership, after Democrats won control of the chamber in the midterm elections.
Hugley, a member of the General Assembly for 30 years and most recently majority leader, is in line for the post pending a vote by the full House. Democrats also selected nominees for key posts, including Rep. Stacey Evans as majority leader and Rep. Sam Park as majority whip.
The shift ends a stretch of Republican control that began after the 2004 election. It comes as Georgia has elected Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, and Democrats have captured nearly all of the state’s elected constitutional offices. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat, was elected lieutenant governor.
Democratic leaders say affordability, cost-of-living concerns and Medicaid expansion are priorities. They have cautioned that their agenda is extensive and have not set a timeline for proposals. Republicans still hold a narrow Senate majority, making the House leadership change a significant opening for Democrats—but not control of the whole legislature.
Democrats Take Georgia House as Hugley Prepares to Lead an Ambitious Agenda
Georgia Democrats’ takeover of the House puts Rep. Carolyn Hugley on course to become speaker and gives the party a new platform for its priorities. The caucus nominated Hugley on November 12, positioning her to make history as the first Black woman to head the chamber. The full House must still choose its speaker.
Hugley and fellow Democratic leaders have highlighted affordability, cost-of-living issues and Medicaid expansion, but say they cannot pursue everything at once. They have not provided a legislative calendar or timeline for major proposals. The agenda will have to contend with a state Senate where Republicans retain a narrow majority.
The Democratic House majority is the party’s first since Republicans gained control after the 2004 election. The caucus also nominated Billy Mitchell as speaker pro tem, Stacey Evans as majority leader, Sam Park as majority whip and Spencer Frye as majority chair. Hugley has spent three decades in the General Assembly and most recently served as majority leader.
The election season also brought Keisha Lance Bottoms’ election as the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, while Democrats secured all but one of Georgia’s elected constitutional posts and Josh McLaurin won the lieutenant governor’s race. The new leadership now faces the task of turning its stated priorities into proposals in a legislature divided between the Democratic House and Republican Senate.
Reported by Atlanta News First, FOX 5 Atlanta.
