Ralph Twiggs, veteran lawmaker, dies

ATLANTA - Rep. Ralph Twiggs, a veteran state legislator, died on Wednesday. He was 75.

Twiggs, of Hiawassee, died of pneumonia at a hospital in Houston, according to the state House Information Office. Twiggs had been diagnosed with cancer two years ago and had gone to Houston for chemotherapy.

A Democrat, Twiggs had served in the Georgia Legislature since 1973. He was chairman of the House Transportation Committee and previously chaired the public safety committee.

Colleagues remembered Twiggs as an effective legislator who worked hard behind the scenes and remained fiercely loyal to his north Georgia, mountain district.

``He was a Southern gentleman and a thoroughly decent man,'' said Rep. Mickey Channell, D-Greensboro, who served as vice chairman on the Transportation Committee. ``He was quiet. He didn't seek the spotlight, but he was an honest, hardworking politician who was in office for the right reasons.''

Gov. Sonny Perdue said he was saddened by the news of Twiggs' death, and remembered him as a champion of education, including Georgia's free kindergarten program.

``In his many years in the legislature, he touched many lives and represented the people of his district faithfully,'' Perdue said in a written statement.

Former governor and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, a native of Young Harris, said Twiggs had been a friend since the two were teenagers playing sandlot baseball in the north Georgia mountains.

``One good way to measure the worth of a legislator is how he looks after his constituents and family,'' Miller said. ``Using this yardstick, Ralph Twiggs was as good as they come.''

A retired pharmacist, Twiggs also served on the House's influential Appropriations Committee and the Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

Under Georgia law, Perdue will call for a special election to fill Twiggs' seat, which represents all or part of Rabun, Towns, Union and White counties.

Chris Riggall, spokesman for the Georgia Secretary of State's office, said election officials are discussing possible dates for the vote.

It could be held as soon as Nov. 4, when many local elections are already scheduled, Riggall said.

Information about Twiggs' survivors was not immediately available. Funeral arrangements, by Banister Funeral Home, were incomplete Thursday afternoon.