Ralston to step down as Georgia House speaker at end of year

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is stepping down as speaker at the end of the this year, citing health concerns. The Republican has been speaker since 2010. (Emil Moffat/ WABE)

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is stepping down as speaker at the end of the this year, he announced Friday, citing health concerns.

The 68-year-old Republican has been speaker since 2010. He was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2002.

A lawyer from Blue Ridge in the north Georgia mountains, Ralston said he hopes to continue as a member of the House if his health concerns can be resolved. Ralston is unopposed for reelection in a district covering Fannin, Gilmer and Dawson counties.