ATHENS - New state legislators are meeting in Athens for a training seminar held every two years. <br>
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Many of them are wondering who the next speaker of the Georgia House will be. <br>
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Democrats -- who still hold a 106-73 majority in the chamber, with one independent -- have nominated Representative Terry Coleman of Eastman. In the past, that would have been enough to secure the office for him when the question is put to the new House in January. <br>
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Coleman also says he's got more than 91 votes, and that none of the Democrats is going to abandon him. <br>
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But his Democratic rival for the nomination -- Representative Larry Walker of Perry -- is trying to forge a coalition of unhappy Democrats and Republicans. <br>
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Walker insisted Sunday his chances look good. A Republican governor is set to take office January 13 for the first time in more than 130 years. <br>
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If he can woo enough Democrats to pair with Republican votes, Walker potentially could win in January.
