David Ralston is a Republican

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

 member of the Georgia House of Representatives

Georgia House of Representatives

The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...

 for the 7th district, encompassing parts of Dawson County

Dawson County, Georgia

Dawson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1857 from Gilmer and Lumpkin counties. As of 2000, the population is 15,999. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,484...

, Fannin County

Fannin County, Georgia

Fannin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on January 21, 1854. As of 2000, the population was 19,798. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,580...

, and Gilmer County

Gilmer County, Georgia

Gilmer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1832 and was named for George Rockingham Gilmer. As of 2000, the population was 23,456. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,389...

. Since January 11, 2010, he served as its 73rd Speaker.

Biography

David Ralston was born in Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay is a city in Gilmer County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,584 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Gilmer County.Ellijay lies where two rivers, the Ellijay and the Cartecay, come together to form the Coosawattee River...

. He attended Young Harris College

Young Harris College

Young Harris College is a private, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in the mountains of northeast Georgia. The current president is Cathy Cox, former Georgia Secretary of State.-Origins:...

, graduated from North Georgia College and State University

North Georgia College and State University

North Georgia College & State University is a four-year public university located in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia. Founded as North Georgia Agricultural College in 1873, it is the second oldest co-educational institution in the state. The university is renowned for its ROTC program, and is...

, and later from the University of Georgia School of Law

University of Georgia School of Law

The University of Georgia School of Law is a graduate school of the University of Georgia. Founded in 1859 and located in Athens, Georgia, USA, Georgia Law was formerly known as the Lumpkin School of Law. The Law School is the second oldest of the University's schools and colleges. The University...

.

From 1992 to 1998, he served as a member of the Georgia Senate

Georgia Senate

The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...

. In 2002, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives for the 7th district. He became its Speaker in 2010, following the resignation of Glenn Richardson

Glenn Richardson

Glenn Richardson is the former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Following a suicide attempt, he announced in 2009 that he would resign as Speaker effective Jan. 1, 2010, and he resigned as a member of the House on Jan...

. As such, he is the first state house speaker from North Georgia in more than 150 years.

He also works as an attorney

Attorney

Attorney may refer to:*Attorney at law, a lawyer in some countries*Attorney general, the principal legal adviser to a government*Attorney-in-fact, a person authorised to act on someone else's behalf in a legal or business matter by a power of attorney...

 in Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge is a city in Fannin County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,210 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Fannin County.-Geography:Blue Ridge, GA is located at ....

. He is a member of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of commerce

A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...

, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, and the Blue Ridge Lions Club. He is married with two children.