Live Blogging from the Gold Dome

11:17 am: Burkhalter talking about Richardson resigning his house seat – “he’s getting better”.

11:19 am: Burkhalter says “thanks” for letting him serve as speaker for 10 days.

11:20 am: Burkhalter calling for the election of the Speaker Pro-Tem

Republicans nominate: Jan Jones

Democrats nominate: Kathy Ashe

11:30 am: Rep. Carolyn Hughley nominated Kathy Ashe

11:40 am: dozed off a bit while Jan Jones was giving her speech

11:42 am: Kathy Ashe brought up Milton County — hmmm….Jan Jones not so much. Best Quote today from Ashe: “What would happen if we thought of our opponents as our creators beloved instead of hopeless idiots”

Jan Jones wins 113 to 61… Jan Jones is the highest elected woman in the Georgia House history. So 13 Dems couldn’t even vote together for this easy vote…ahhh unity.

11:53 Nominations for the Speaker of the House:

Republicans nominate: David Ralston

Democrats nominate: Calvin Smyre

12:00 pm: Dubose Porter is nominating Calvin.

12:04 pm: Very weird – David Ralston has decided not to speak and has given the remainder of his time to State Rep. Penny Houston to talk about David Ralston. Very weird.

12:06: Calvin Smyre has decided to speak cause you know he is running for House Speaker and doesn’t need a sock puppet to tell why he should win.

Calvin is quoting Mayor Kasim Reed

12:17: Ralston wins 116 to 58: Democratic unity is a big fat lie.

12:25: Ralston giving his 1st address. Saying we (politicians) should never forget who they serve – the constituents. Says that Georgians need to know that their working government belongs to the working families of Georgia and not the special lobbyists. Talking about change and that “business as usual” in the House will no longer be the same.

says he is reaching out his hand to the Minority Caucus. Says he’s a “friend”.

Session ended for the day. Will post video soon:

** VOTE TALLY FOR SPEAKER PRO-TEM

Democrats who voted for the Republican nominee:

1. Ellis Black (Valdosta)

2. Amy Carter (Valdosta)

3. Mike Cheokas (Americus)

4. Ron Dodson (Lake City)

5. Bubber Epps (Dry Branch)

6. Gerald Greene (Cuthbert)

7. Bob Hanner (Parrott)

8. Kevin Levitas (Decatur)

9. Allen Powell (Hartwell)

DID NOT VOTE:

1. Toney Collins (Conyers)

2. Jay Shaw (Lakeland)

EXCUSED:

1. Pat Dooley (Marietta)

2. Sistie Hudson (Sparta)

******

** VOTE TALLY FOR SPEAKER

Democrats who voted for the Republican nominee:

1. Ellis Black (Valdosta)

2. Bob Bryant (Garden City)

3. Amy Carter (Valdosta)

4. Mike Cheokas (Americus)

5. Ron Dodson (Lake City)

6. Bubber Epps (Dry Branch)

7. Carol Fullerton (Albany)

8. Gerald Greene (Cuthbert)

9. Bob Hanner (Parrott)

10. Kevin Levitas (Decatur)

11. Allen Powell (Hartwell)

12. Jay Shaw (Lakeland)

DID NOT VOTE:

1. Pat Gardner (Atlanta)

2. Howard Mosby (DeKalb)

EXCUSED:

1. Pat Dooley (Marietta)

2. Sistie Hudson (Sparta)