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Friday on Political Rewind: House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) joined us to discuss a recent visit to Republican leaders in Congress and speculation he is considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2022.\n\nRalston, a top leader of Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly, said he was interested in the role representing Georgia in the U.S. Congress, but had not made a decision yet.\n\n"Decision-making is a process, not an event," the Blue Ridge Republican told us. "And so we're kind of taking a look and seeing how it feels."\n\nRalston has served in the state House of Representatives since 2002 and represents House District 7, which includes Fannin and Gilmer counties and a portion of Dawson County in north Georgia. He is the 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House, a position he has held since 2010.\n\nRalston said he loves his current job working with state lawmakers, but said his concerns about the direction of the country were part of the reason he is interested in a Senate run. \n\n"The thought of making a difference and giving the majority back to the Republicans in the Senate would certainly have some appeal," he said.\n\nIn other news, Gov. Brian Kemp is preparing an executive order to ban school districts from issuing mask mandates. With cases of the coronavirus dropping dramatically, Kemp told reporters he believes the time for mandates is over.\n\nSome question whether he has the legal authority to assert power over local schools, and his order may end up being challenged in court.\n\nPanelists:\n\nPatricia Murphy \u2014 Political Reporter and Columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution\n\nRep. Chuck Efstration \u2014 State Representative (R-Dacula)\n\nRep. Teri Anulewicz \u2014 State Representative (D-Smyrna)