BLUE RIDGE, Ga. (AP) — The widow of former Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is running for his vacant seat in the legislature.
Sherry Ralston announced Wednesday that she is running for the 7th Ward District, which covers Fannin and Gilmer counties and part of Dawson County. Gov. Brian Kemp has called a special election for Jan. 3 to fill the seat.
“I’m running to finish the unfinished business of my husband, David Ralston, specifically on mental health reform and protecting the interests of Georgia’s 7th House District,” she said in a statement.
Kemp, a Republican, quickly endorsed her.
Sherry Ralston of Blue Ridge is the executive director of the Fannin County Development Authority.
Conservative online talk show host Brian K. Pritchard announced Monday that he is also running.
Pritchard previously said in a statement that he intends to run on issues including doing more to prevent transgender people from being banned from sports at an all-girls high school in Georgia.
“We are a republic, not a monarchy,” Pritchard said after Ralston made the announcement Wednesday. “Seats in the house are not transferable. The place is owned by the fine people of Georgia’s 7th District. It’s not Atlanta that chooses the successor.”
Selection for the all-party special election begins on Monday and ends on Wednesday. If no one gets a majority on January 3, a second round will be held on January 31.