James_March-April_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 37
The speaker of Georgia's House of Representatives, as well as the lieutenant governor
who presides over the Senate, are obviously exceptional public servants who wield
tremendous power. But every year James selects three other legislators— and not
necessarily those heading key committees— who we believe show leadership but
who also have accomplished impressive work on a wide range of policy issues.
REPRES EN TAT I V E
S E N ATO R
R E P RE SE N TATI VE
Soo Hong
Larry Walker, III
Carolyn Hugley
State Rep. Soo Hong was born
in Seoul, South Korea, and legally
moved to the states with her parents
as first generation immigrants when
she was 10 years old. After growing
up in Marietta, and attending Georgia
Tech and Mercer University, Hong was
first elected to the Georgia House of
Representatives in November 2022
from District 103 representing parts of
Buford and Sugar Hill.
Hong, an experienced attorney
and pro-business Republican, made
a mark for herself after becoming
a House floor leader for Gov. Brian
Kemp during the 2023 session while
working with colleagues across the
aisle to pass legislation to combat
gang violence and human trafficking.
She also sponsored HB 128 which
helped to level the playing field for
women and veteran-owned businesses. As for boys playing in girls’ sports
and going into female locker/changing
rooms, she’s a firm “no.”
She appropriately serves on the
House Judiciary committee, and is
chairman of the Judicial Non-Civil
sub-committee and a member of the
House Ways & Means committee.
The Perry native and family man
has served in the state Senate since
2015 and represents Bleckley, Dodge,
Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and
Wilcox counties, as well as a majority
of Houston County. It was quite a tribute when he was unanimously elected
as the powerful Senate President
Pro Tempore after having previously
served as Senate Majority Caucus
Secretary. He chairs the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor and is
secretary of the Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.
Agriculture and working family
policies, tax reduction issues, public
safety and cutting needless bureaucracy are among the many issues this
University of Georgia business school
alumnus has tackled.
The senator is active in his hometown and, like his well-known father
who served in the Legislature, enjoys
participation in numerous business/
civic organizations. The Republican is
also on the Legislative Overview Committee for the Agricultural Exposition
Authority, and serves on the Georgia
World Congress Center Authority and
the One Georgia Authority
State Rep. Carolyn Hugley was
born in Forrest City, Arkansas to two
educators. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master’s
degree in public policy and administration from Mississippi State University.
A 37-year insurance agent, she was
elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1992. That makes her the
longest serving female in the House.
Hugley became the House minority leader after a stint as minority whip
from 2013-2018. Colleagues on both
sides of the aisle note that she serves
with civility and grace. She has been
a leader on a wide variety of issues
ranging from education reform and
enhanced job opportunities to public
safety measures, anti-bullying bills
and legislation keeping widows of
veterans in their homes.
The Democrat serves on the Insurance and Rules committees, as well
as on the appropriations, ethics, urban
affairs and banking panels. She also is
a member of the Georgia Legislative
Black Caucus, and represents Columbus-based House District 141.
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