"I look forward to earning your trust and your respect as we go forward," Stephens said as he spoke to the GOP Caucus after the election Friday. "Just as you've given me this responsibility, so too have the people of Georgia given all of us an awesome responsibility. We should be humbled by the fact that they have entrusted us and our colleagues across the hall with the governing of this great state. As President Bush said in his acceptance speech, 'Along with responsibility and trust comes a duty.' As members of the majority party in this Senate, we now have a duty to serve all Georgians and we must fulfill that duty."

In addition to Stephens and Seabaugh, the Republicans also re-elected Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) Caucus Chairman, a position he has held for four years. Sen. Balfour is now the longest serving Republican serving in the Senate. Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) was re-elected Caucus vice chairman, Sen. Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta) was elected Caucus treasurer, and Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) was elected Caucus Secretary. All will serve two year terms.

The Senate Republican Caucus also nominated Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) for president pro tempore. That position is elected by the entire body of the State Senate, and that election will be held when the Senate convenes for the first time in January.