Robert Paul Hanner (April 19, 1945 – January 2, 2019) was an American politician and businessman.
Bob Hanner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives | |
| In office September 18, 1975 – January 14, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | John R. Irwin III |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | 130th district (1975–1983) 131st district (1983–1993) 159th district (1993–2003) 133rd district (2003–2005) 148th district (2005–2013) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Paul Hanner April 19, 1945 Americus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | January 2, 2019 (aged 73) Parrott, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (2010–2019) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (before 2010) |
| Spouse |
Linda Matthews (m. 1969) |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editEarly years and education
editRobert Paul Hanner was born in Americus, Georgia on April 19, 1945 to Jack and Yip Hanner. He attended Parrott Grammar School, Terrell High School, Gordon Military College in Barnesville and Georgia Southwestern State University. He served in the United States Coast Guard in 1967 and 1968 in South Vietnam.[1] Hanner was a farmer. He was involved in the insurance business and estate planning. He lived in Parrott, Georgia for nearly all of his life.
Political career
editHanner was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1974 to 2013. He was a loyal Democrat for most of his political career, advancing to the position of committee Chairman during the decades when Democrats exercised majority rule.[2][3] Hanner served during a period when House Speaker Tom Murphy waged a fiercely partisan battle against Republicans, drawing district maps during reapportionment which were criticized as pro-Democrat gerrymanders.[3][4] It was during this period that Congressman Newt Gingrich remarked that "The Speaker, by raising money and gerrymandering, has sincerely dedicated a part of his career to wiping me out."[5] Murphy made Hanner his point man in this effort, as Chairman of the House Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment committee, specifically charged with creating the gerrymandered districts.[2][3][4] With the fall of Speaker Murphy, and the shift of power from Democrats to Republicans, Hanner left the Democratic party and switched to the Republicans in 2010.[1][6][7][8]
Death and legacy
editHanner died on January 2, 2019.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Robert Paul Hanner April 19, 1945 - January 2, 2019 (age 73)". Harvey Funeral Home. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Members Of The General Assembly Of Georgia First Session of 1989-90 Term". State of Georgia. January 1989. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ a b c Bernard Grofman (2003). Race and Redistricting in the 1990s. Algora Publishing. pp. 197–200. ISBN 978-0-87586-265-1.
- ^ a b "Tom Murphy (1924-2007)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ Goodman, Brenda (December 20, 2007). "Tom B. Murphy, a Longtime Power in Georgia, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Project Vote Smart - The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ "Long time South Georgia state representative Bob Hanner dies". WALB.com - WAB News 10. January 3, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.