ATLANTA — Georgia Democrats are preparing for a shift in state leadership after winning control of the Georgia House of Representatives for the first time in more than 20 years.
Democrats secured a majority in the state House during Tuesday’s midterm elections, giving the party greater influence over legislative committees and which proposals receive consideration under the Gold Dome.
DeKalb County state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, who has served in the legislature on and off since the late 1980s, said she is looking forward to the opportunities that come with being in the majority.
“I’ve seen both chambers and I’ve seen two flips, so I’ve been in this room before and I’m excited about our opportunities,” Oliver said.
Oliver said the change will allow Democrats to bring attention to legislation that previously struggled to receive consideration.
“I can list for you 25 things that I’ve introduced that’s never got a hearing, but times are going to change. Giving us an opportunity to at least speak, both sides speaking to issues,” Oliver said.
Despite the shift in control, Oliver said she believes Democrats will treat their Republican colleagues with respect and work toward cooperation.
“The opportunity to do work together depends on honesty and courtesy, and I think that’s what the voters want,” Oliver said.
Republicans maintained a narrow majority in the Georgia Senate, leaving Democrats in control of only one chamber of the state legislature.
Meanwhile, Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms is preparing to take office in January after Democrats also swept Georgia’s statewide races.
Bottoms said her transition team has begun hiring staff and identifying priorities for her administration. She also confirmed that she has spoken with outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp about the transition.
“It was a very good conversation, and his team is going to be available to help us with an orderly transition and a productive transition; so I’m grateful for him extending that offer,” Bottoms said.
Bottoms said she has more time to prepare for the governor’s office than she had when she was elected mayor of Atlanta.
“I’m very grateful to have more time than I had when I transitioned into the mayor’s office. I believe I had three weeks maybe for the transition because I went into a runoff,” Bottoms said.
Bottoms will become Georgia’s first Democratic governor since Roy Barnes held the office in the early 2000s.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Jonathan O’Brien contributed to this story.
