David Ralston Cause of Death

Georgia House of Representatives Speaker David Ralston, the country’s longest-serving sitting Speaker of any state legislature, died on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, after a long illness. He was 68.

According to a statement confirming his death, Ralston’s wife and family were with him when he died.

Speaker Ralston was the country’s longest-serving state house speaker at the time of his death. He represented Georgia’s seventh House district, which included Fannin, Gilmer, and Dawson counties.

“Leigh Ann and I are sad to hear the news on Speaker Ralston’s passing,” said Rep.-elect Mike Collins (R-Ga.). “He was a tremendous leader for our state and will be missed by many.”

Ralston announced shortly before November 4, 2022 midterm elections that he would not seek the position for the next legislative term if re-elected, citing a “health challenge.” Ralston ran unchallenged.

Ralston oversaw several conservative economic initiatives during his tenure, including a significant state income tax cut in 2018.

Following the 2020 presidential election, Ralston worked to advance a bill that controversially changed Georgia’s election laws, including mail voting and ballot counting provisions. Stacey Abrams and other Democrats criticised the bill