Georgia House Speaker Pro Tem Jones to Retire

Jan Jones, the first woman to serve as Georgia House Speaker, will not seek reelection after over two decades in office.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Georgia House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, a Republican representing Milton, announced on Thursday that she will retire at the end of her current term after serving more than two decades in the state legislature. Jones rose through the ranks to become one of the highest leadership positions in the Georgia House, briefly serving as the first woman Speaker of the House after the death of David Ralston.

Why it matters

Jones' retirement marks the end of an era, as she was the first woman to hold the powerful position of Georgia House Speaker. Her departure will leave a void in the state's Republican leadership and raises questions about the future direction of the party in Georgia.

The details

Jan Jones, a Republican representing the north metro Atlanta region of Milton, has served in the Georgia House of Representatives for over two decades. She rose through the ranks to become the House Speaker Pro Tem, the second-highest ranking position in the chamber. In a surprise move, Jones briefly served as the first woman Speaker of the House in 2023 following the death of David Ralston, making her the highest-ranking woman in Georgia state government history.

  • Jones announced her retirement on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Jones' current term will end later this year.

The players

Jan Jones

A Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives who has served for over two decades, including a brief stint as the first woman Speaker of the House in 2023.

David Ralston

The former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives who passed away in office, leading to Jones briefly becoming the first woman to hold that position.

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The takeaway

Jones' departure will leave a void in the state's Republican leadership and raises questions about the future direction of the party in Georgia, as she was a trailblazer and one of the most influential figures in the state legislature.