(ATLANTA, Ga.) — Last week, Georgia State Representative David Ralston announced that he will not be seeking a new term as the Speaker of the House. The current Georgia House Majority Leader, Jon Burns, has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed him in the position.

Speaker Ralston has presided over the Georgia House of Representatives’ 180 members for thirteen years. Representing a district in the northern Blue Ridge foothills of Georgia, Ralston says he plans to continue to represent the community in the legislature. He’s cited an unspecified health problem as one of the main motivators to allow a new Speaker to take the role.

Jon Burns’ frontrunner status does not guarantee him the speakership. Several other high-ranking Georgia Republicans have made announcements or implications that they’ll run, including Reps. Barry Fleming and Speaker Pro Tempore Jen Jones.

Representatives that have either declined to run or suspended their campaigns include Rep. Alan Powell and Majority Whip Matt Hatchet.

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