As reported earlier, state Reps. Terry England, R-Auburn, and Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, are among about a dozen or so representatives openly backing Blue Ridge Republican David Ralston’s challenge of House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

I still haven’t had a chance to talk to Benton or England personally, but I spoke to state Rep. Bob Smith, R-Watkinsville, recently, and he said he’s sitting on the sidelines for the time being. Smith backed Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter, R-Alpharetta, for the top spot in 2004.

The official Democrat line is that they’ll let the GOP sort out the speaker situation in caucus meetings this fall. After all, when one party starts fighting in the sandbox, they make the other side look like grown-ups.

But with 74 of the 91 votes needed to elect a speaker, and expectations of picking up four or five seats this fall, Democrats could play a role if they chose to. And state Rep. Keith Heard, D-Athens, speaks highly of Burkhalter as a level-headed bipartisan alternative to the hotheaded Richardson.

“I think people do want to see the parties work together,” Heard said. “They’re tired of this back-and-forth.”

If Richardson can’t crush Ralston, look for Burkhalter to possibly emerge as a compromise choice.

Meanwhile, in the state Senate, the leadership picture is beginning to clear up. If Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle runs for governor in 2010 as expected, Majority Leader Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, announced last week he’ll resign his post to run statewide for Cagle’s seat, and Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, said today he’ll seek the support of his colleagues to replace Johnson.

PSC hearing postponed

Democratic Public Service Commission candidate Jim Powell’s Fulton County Superior Court hearing to overturn Secretary of State Karen Handel’s ruling that he doesn’t live in his district has been postponed until later this week.

Powell stopped by the newsroom last week to reiterate his claim that Handel’s decision was pure partisan hackery. I can’t figure out why Handel would kick a Democrat off the ballot in a down-ballot race for partisan reasons; the controversy and ensuing press attention is the best thing to ever happen to the little-know Powell. Especially since his opponent is Lauren McDonald, a former PSC member with as much name recognition as anyone who holds such an obscure position could ever hope to have.

I’m no lawyer, but I’ve covered enough residency challenges to know that Powell ought to be able to run. The legal standard is intent; if Powell intends to live in Hiawasee, he should be eligible under Georgia’s toothless law regardless of whether he has a homestead exemption there or not.

Blake.aued@onlineathens.com