The next speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives drew raves after his election Thursday, with lawmakers saying he should quickly move past the scandals that rocked his predecessor.

"I am confident in his abilities to lead the House ... as we offer solutions that help create more jobs for Georgians and position our state to lead the economic recovery," said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, a Republican from Chestnut Mountain.

Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, was elected on the second ballot. He still must be elected by the full House in January.

Rep. Larry O’Neal of Bonaire and Rep. Bill Hembree of Winston were the other candidates for the position.

House leadership has been uncertain since former Speaker Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram, resigned earlier this month.

Richardson held the top job in the House for five years, but his admission that he suffered from depression and had attempted suicide, plus published reports of an affair with a lobbyist, led to his resignation from both the speaker’s post and his House seat.

"This House, that’s been battered over the last few weeks in a very significant way, has told Georgians that they’re ready to change," Ralston told reporters. "It’s not business as usual anymore."

Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter originally was expected to fill the speaker’s post but took his name out of the running three days after Richardson announced his resignation.

"David Ralston is an excellent choice for speaker of the House," Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, said in a prepared statement.

"He is well respected on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol. I am confident we will work together to solve the serious issues facing Georgia."

Ralston fell short in a bid last year for speaker, receiving support then from Reps. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, and Doug Collins, R-Gainesville.

"I was with David when it was not popular," Collins said Thursday. "I think this year is just a reaffirmation of qualities I’ve seen in David ... and I’m just glad to see that he did win."

Charles Bullock, a University of Georgia political scientist, said he believes Ralston’s challenge last year may have weighed in his favor this year.

"Why attack the speaker when you know you’re going down in defeat?" he said. "He was willing to (seek the job) when it was unpopular to speak up."

Bullock said he wouldn’t be surprised if the House tries early on to pass some kind of ethics legislation.

"That’ll remain to be seen whether that is reform that has teeth or is ... largely symbolic," he said. "That would be one way to instill public confidence."

Collins said he believes Ralston will bring "steadiness" to the job.

"I think that is something we need desperately right now — just a steady, calm hand," he said.

Collins also appreciates Ralston’s North Georgia ties. Ralston’s district includes portions of Dawson, Fannin and Gilmer counties.

"He understands intimately the concerns of the mountains and North Georgia, along with the city of Atlanta and the metro area, how we all interact," Collins said.

In fact, Ralston has strong ties to Hall County as well. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega and worked as a reporter at The Times before leaving to attend law school at the University of Georgia.

"He was a fine reporter and a great guy," retired Times Editor Johnny Vardeman said. "He was very well respected, very fair and balanced, and all his sources liked him."

Rep. Carl Rogers, who is out of the state on vacation and unable to vote, believes that Ralston "will be a very strong leader."

"He knows his law and ... he has a serious mind and work ethic," he said. "I know he’ll take the Republican House caucus where it needs to be."

Cagle noted that lawmakers have their work cut out for them in January.

"We face many critical decisions this session — balancing a budget with an expected billion-dollar shortfall, implementing policy that will attract and grow business in Georgia, promoting new and greater levels of transparency in government and ethics reform, and protecting our state’s water resources," he said.

U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Gainesville, who is running for governor, also sent a statement congratulating Ralston on his selection.

"I respect and trust David and his ability to lead the House," he said.