House Minority Leader James Beverly, a steady voice for Democrats at the GOP-controlled state Capitol, has announced that he will retire from the Georgia House of Representatives at the end of the 2024 legislative session.
The retirement of the Macon lawmaker after 14 years serving in the Legislature means that there will be new leadership for both chambers’ Democratic Caucuses, with Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler announcing in February that she will also step down at the end of the year. Beverly’s decision to step down was driven by a new business opportunity that he said aligns with his interest in improving the livelihoods of people in impoverished communities.
Beverly’s first sponsored legislation was designed to provide tax credits to small businesses that hire employees in low-income communities. Later, he led the Macon-Bibb County Community Enhancement Authority, which was formed to reduce blight in a Macon neighborhood while also providing workforce training to locals.
In December, Beverly was able to meet the owners of a company that can pre-manufacture materials and build new 1,500-square-foot homes in 15 days. Using his small trucking business, Beverly’s company will deliver materials across the country for his new business partners.
Beverly’s announcement comes on the final day for qualifying ahead of the May 21 primary for the 2024 election campaign for the state Legislature. Beverly said he plans to continue fundraising and supporting Democratic candidates in their campaigns heading into the November general election. The House and Senate Democratic Caucuses are slated in November to elect the officers that will lead the party for the next two years.
“I’m still going to raise money. I’m still going to guard the seats,” Beverly said. “We’re still gonna put our staff to work. We need people to chip in and do what we need to do because it’s not about James Beverly.”
“It’s about…
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