Glenn Richardson’s presumed replacement as House Speaker now says he doesn’t want the post.

Mark Burkhalter was slated to take over for Glenn Richardson upon his resignation January 1st. But some House Republicans have been publicly complaining that they should be able to choose their own leader.

Burkalter apparently heeded those concerns, and e-mailed the Republican Caucus Monday to say “upon the official resignation of Speaker Richardson, I will call for an election the week we reconvene for the 2010 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Then you may elect a new Speaker who can take this job and be fully committed to it into the next decade.

The 2010 legislative session begins January 11th.

The Johns Creek Republican has served as Speaker Pro Tem under Richardson, who announced last week he will resign amidst an ethics scandal involving an affair with a lobbyist.

Burkhalter has been in talks to take over management of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and says he will continue to pursue “other career opportunities.”

Burkhalter called for a Republican Caucus meeting on Friday in Atlanta during which he insisted no elections would be held.

Tags: Republican, Glenn Richardson, House of Representatives, Mark Burkhalter, Speaker, Johns Creek, caucus