Nominee for Georgia House speakership aims to keep friends

New Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns poses for a portrait at the Georgia State Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Jon Burns has made a reputation as everyone’s friend during his 18 years in the Georgia House. Now he hopes that affability will serve him as the chamber’s speaker, one of the most powerful people in the state.

“You get a lot more done in life, and certainly in government, if you’re amenable to other people’s positions, their viewpoints,” Burns told The Associated Press on Thursday. “And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a laugh while you’re working.”

Republicans in November nominated Burns, their majority leader since 2015, as the long-term successor to the late Speaker David Ralston. Ralston had become a towering figure in state government by the time he died in November.