A Capitol Who's Who: Most Powerful Players

A Gallery
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics

· Governor Sonny Perdue: Though a lame duck, he will decide how much money is spent. He's a careful decision-maker, but generally does not get heavily involved until the end of the session. He isn't afraid to exercise his power to veto legislation and has been criticized by fellow Republicans for twice vetoing last-minute tax cuts passed by lawmakers. This will be his last session after nearly two decades as a state senator and then governor.

· Lt. Governor Casey Cagle: The president of the Senate and the first Republican to run the chamber. A conservative who tends to think things through thoroughly before speaking or acting. Was considered a front-runner in the 2010 governor's race but dropped out last spring. He had an often-troubled relationship with former House Speaker Glenn Richardson. He served in the Senate with David Ralston, who is expected to become the next speaker.

· Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams (R-Lyons): A savvy politician who was chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee before becoming majority leader in 2006. This South Georgia pine straw millionaire speaks Hebrew, Italian and Spanish, has served as a missionary in China, Israel and Belize, and is a deacon at First Baptist Church of Vidalia. Digs into issues he's interested in, and his interests are varied.

· Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock): Well-spoken, telegenic riser among conservatives. Whether it's immigration, guns or tax policy, he's often at the front of the debate. A strong spokesman for the Republican cause, he's widely seen as a potential candidate for governor or Congress down the road. Mr. Tax Cut in the Senate, he's seldom seen a tax cut he couldn't get behind.

· Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth): A former state Republican Party head who ran GOP political campaigns in the 1990s, Shafer rose in power after the election of Cagle in 2006.He prefers to work behind the scenes and generally avoids the spotlight. The committee he leads handles a wide range of issues, from telecommunications policy to Sunday beer sales. Because of that, it is a magnet for campaign contributions. He has aspirations for higher office.

· House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge): This level-headed plain-spoken lawyer is expected to take over for former House Speaker Glenn Richardson. Ralston ran against Richardson in 2008 and lost, but won a close House Republican Caucus vote for speaker in December. Ralston hopes to bring more stability to a House Republican Caucus torn by the scandal. He will preside over a chamber desperate to convince the public that it's not a political frat house that can't police itself.

· Probable House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta): As in the case of Ralston, Jones is seen as a smart, stable leader. A former journalist and marketing executive, Jones will become the highest-ranking woman in General Assembly history. She became one of the party's experts on school issues, serving on the House Education Committee and as vice chairwoman of the budget subcommittee that develops spending plans for education.

· House Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin): Porter is an attorney and newspaper editor who came into the Legislature challenging the old-guard Democrats. Over time, he became part of the House leadership. An articulate spokesman for the party, he is running for governor in 2010.

· House Minority Caucus Chairman Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus): Smyre, who was first elected when Gerald Ford was president (1974) knows how the General Assembly works and understands political strategy as well as anyone at the Capitol. Is probably the most connected state lawmaker to the national Democratic leadership. He is president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

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