Steve Henson, a former member of the Georgia State Senate, was elected on Mar. 19 to represent Congressional District 4 on the State Transportation Board of Georgia for a five-year term beginning April 15, 2026. His election was decided by a caucus of state representatives and senators from District 4, which covers DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties.
Henson’s appointment is significant as he brings decades of legislative experience and community involvement to the board that oversees transportation policy in Georgia. The State Transportation Board determines policy and governs the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), with each member elected by members of the General Assembly from their respective congressional districts.
A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in economics, Henson worked for over forty years at the Laborers’ Southeast Training Fund before retiring in 2023. He served multiple terms in the Georgia State Senate representing both the 55th and later the 41st Districts between 1991 and 2021. During his tenure, he held leadership roles such as chair of the Consumer Affairs Committee, floor leader for Governor Zell Miller, chair of the DeKalb Senate Delegation, Senate Democratic Whip, and Senate Minority Leader for more than nine years. He has received over thirty awards recognizing his advocacy in environmental protection, public education, and support for individuals with disabilities.
Beyond his legislative work, Henson has participated in various community organizations including Stone Mountain Exchange Club, DeKalb JCs, American Association of Adapted Sports, and Youth Build DeKalb County. He was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to serve on the Asbestos Licensing Board in 1986 and chaired it from 1988 to 1990. After leaving the senate, he chaired the DeKalb County Charter Review Commission until 2024.
The GDOT is responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining state and federal highways as well as supporting bridge projects, waterways, public transit systems, railroads, aviation initiatives, bike paths and pedestrian programs across Georgia. The department employs nearly four thousand people dedicated to innovation and safety within transportation infrastructure.
