Hugley becomes Georgia’s first Black woman Speaker nominee

Georgia House Democrats, who won a narrow majority in the chamber for the first time in more than two decades, nominated Rep. Carolyn Hugley of Columbus as speaker. If elected by the full House when the new legislature convenes in January, she would become Georgia’s first Black woman speaker. Democrats also selected Stacey Evans as majority leader and named other caucus leaders. Hugley has highlighted Medicaid expansion and broader health care access, affordability, housing, pre-K investment and potentially improving access to voting as priorities. With Republicans retaining control of the state Senate, passing legislation will require cooperation between the chambers.