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Roswell Today
By the People, for the People
Georgia House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones to Retire in 2027
The longest-serving speaker pro tem in U.S. history will step down after over two decades in the Georgia House.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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Georgia House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones announced that she will retire from office at the end of her current term in 2027. Jones, a Fulton County Republican, has served as the state's speaker pro tem since 2010, making her the longest-serving in Georgia history and the nation. She also made history as Georgia's first female speaker, serving in an interim capacity in 2022.
Why it matters
Jones' retirement marks the end of an era in Georgia politics. As the longest-serving speaker pro tem, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the state's education policies, including the expansion of Pre-K and the implementation of the Promise Scholarship program. Her departure will leave a significant void in the state's legislative leadership.
The details
Throughout her 25 years in public office, Jones has focused on local control, government transparency, and public education reform. She was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002, representing portions of North Fulton County. Jones made history in 2022 when she served as Georgia's first female speaker, filling the role temporarily following the death of Speaker David Ralston until the election of Speaker Jon Burns.
- Jones was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002.
- House Republicans first elected Jones as speaker pro tem in 2010.
- Jones served as Georgia's first female speaker in an interim capacity in 2022.
- Jones' term will officially conclude in January 2027.
The players
Jan Jones
The Fulton County Republican is the longest-serving speaker pro tem in the U.S. and has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2002.
David Ralston
The former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, who passed away in 2022.
Jon Burns
The current Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, elected after Ralston's passing.
What they’re saying
“I will miss the rewarding work, the ability to help constituents and of course the many colleagues who've become dear friends since my first election in 2002.”
— Jan Jones, Georgia House Speaker Pro Tempore (FOX 5 Atlanta)
“Over these years, I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished on education policy: restoring full funding to public schools, keeping teacher pay the highest in the Southeast, expanding access to Pre-K and bolstering that workforce and strengthening parent choice with more public charters and the Promise Scholarship.”
— Jan Jones, Georgia House Speaker Pro Tempore (FOX 5 Atlanta)
What’s next
Jones' term will officially conclude in January 2027, at which point a new speaker pro tem will be elected to the Georgia House of Representatives.
The takeaway
Jan Jones' retirement marks the end of an era in Georgia politics, as she has been a trailblazer for women in the state and a key figure in shaping the state's education policies over the past two decades. Her departure will leave a significant void in the state's legislative leadership, and her legacy will continue to shape the future of Georgia's education system.
