Mark Burkhalter

From dKosopedia

Category: Georgia Republicans

Mark Burkhalter is a Republican state representative from Georgia who serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives.

Burkhalter is the longest serving Republican in the House but lost a bid for Speaker against Glenn Richardson. Burkhalter was made Speaker Pro Tem as a consolation prize.

Burkhalter has spent the last decade trying to live down his role in the "Daufuskie Five" scandal. In 1997, he and four other legislators took a lobbyist funded trip to Daufuskue Island, South Carolina, where they were entertained by strippers. The trip was covered on the front page of The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Burkhalter has publicly feuded with Senate Majority Whip Mitch Seabaugh. Burkhalter's short stature is believed to play a role in his aggressive feuding with other members of the General Assembly.

Burkhalter plans to run again for Speaker of the House and will likely face House Majority Leader Jerry Keen.