By John Fredericks / Staff

The big four of the Republican House leadership is now down to three.

Their top dog resigned, their second in command declined and their third in charge is sure to be purged.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) was forced to tender his resignation from the House effective January 1 amidst a cloud of controversy that centered on allegations of ethical violations and blatant infidelity.

Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), in line for the top spot when Richardson's resignation takes effect, stated on Monday that he decided not to seek the position permanently due to his pursuit of private business interests.

The sudden withdrawal of the popular and charismatic Burkhalter sent the Republican Caucus into an immediate tailspin, and fueled calls for a completely new leadership team. Unfortunately, Burkhalter's loyal alignment with Richardson tainted him by osmosis. Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons) hoped to survive the cleansing, but a group of his detractors have circulated a petition designed to oust him from the leadership and make him re-apply. They need 32 votes, or one third of their caucus, to kick him to the curb. As of Friday night, 26 signatures were secured. Bottom line: Keen is on a way one train to nowhere.

The leadership revolt, led in part by rural rank and file GOP House members, adopted a "throw the bums out" mantra in light of what they perceived as an arrogant culture that abused power, strong armed detractors, and took favors from lobbyists.

But in so doing they may have decided not to throw out the baby with bathwater.

That baby is none other than House Majority Whip Jan Jones (R-Milton), who has miraculously emerged from the internal leadership upheaval unscathed. As a result, Jones is now the odds on favorite to replace interim speaker Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) as Speaker Pro-Tem.

WHEN IN DOUBT, KICK THE PRESS OUT

That is precisely what Ga. House Republicans did on Friday at their scheduled Caucus meeting, held on the grounds of Georgia Tech. 

Burkhalter called the meeting ostensibly to select a potential new House leadership team, and perhaps to air some dirty laundry. The Speaker Pro-Tem promised that no votes would be held and positioned the meeting as more of an organizational gathering to refocus his caucus after a devastatingly brutal public relations week. 

However, Burkhalter was forced to hold at least one vote, which was done on a secret ballot. That tally was to close the meeting, which meant giving the press the boot. House rules call for a two-thirds majority vote to shut off a meeting to the press.

The media, in an uproar over being barred, forced the vote.

It passed 67-28 on a secret paper ballot, and the press was unceremoniously given the "here's your hat, what's your hurry" escort outside. 

Richardson was conspicuously missing from the meeting.

Reports from GOP caucus legislators hailed the gathering as productive and positive. "The meeting was absolutely fantastic," said Jones. "We are re-focused, re-energized and ready to get back to work for the people of Georgia. Our goals remain resolute: balance the budget, keep low taxes, create jobs and improve education."

Several sources relayed that Burkhalter got a rousing standing ovation after his keynote speech.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP NOMINEES TO EMERGE ON THURSDAY

The majority caucus has scheduled a follow-up meeting on Thursday, December 17 at 11 a.m. in Atlanta to determine nominees for their leadership posts ahead of the new session's opening bell. These include speaker, speaker pro-tem, majority whip and majority leader. To win the nomination, the top candidate must receive a majority of Republican Caucus votes, or 53 out of 105 GOP members. If no candidate garners the magic number on the first ballot, the last place finisher drops off the ballot and vote continues until only one is left standing. Voting is by secret ballot. Once the majority party nominees are selected, they are presented to full House for a floor vote.

To prevent Democrats from teaming with one Republican to gain a key leadership post, sources say a rule is being introduced at Thursday's event by Rep. John Lunsford (R-McDonough) that would prevent GOP members from voting for anyone other than their party's leadership nominees on the House floor. Failure to do so would result in expulsion from their caucus.

 
Email: jfredericks@beaconcast.com