ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia’s historic election season is setting the stage for another political first at the state Capitol.

State Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, is poised to become the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the Georgia House after Democrats won a majority in the chamber in last week’s midterm elections.

Hugley is running unopposed for the position. The Democratic legislative caucus is set to announce its leadership selections Thursday at the state capitol.

Hugley’s anticipated rise comes after a landmark election in which former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Black women also won all but one of Georgia’s elected constitutional offices.

State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat, was elected lieutenant governor.

Before this year’s midterms, Democrats last held a majority in the Georgia House in 2004. Republicans won control in that year’s election and took the majority when the new legislature convened in 2005.

Republicans hold a narrow majority on the other side of aisle, meaning McLaurin will have to govern a state Senate under GOP control.

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