Nineteen Democrats in the Georgia House broke ranks on the opening days of session to help elect the first Republican speaker in two centuries.

• Position: People & Politics - Brief Article

Nineteen Democrats in the Georgia House broke ranks on the opening days of session to help elect the first Republican speaker in two centuries. Representative Glenn Richardson now wields the gavel, following the GOP's election day victory that put Republicans in control of both chambers for the first time since 1870. The day of historic change also saw the first black Republican lawmaker since Reconstruction sworn in. Representative Willie Talton is a sheriff's...