There are nine justices on the Georgia Supreme Court. For more information about these elections, visit the Georgia judicial elections page.

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Georgia

The nine justices on the Georgia Supreme Court are chosen by popular vote in nonpartisan elections. They serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to retain their seats.^[1]

Qualifications

To serve on this court, a judge must be:

a resident of Georgia; and
admitted to practice law for at least seven years.^[1]

Chief justice

The chief justice is selected by peer vote and serves in that capacity for four years.^[1]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

If a vacancy appears on the court, the position is filled by assisted appointment. The governor chooses an appointee from a list of qualified candidates compiled by the judicial nominating commission. As of March 2023, the judicial nominating commission consisted of 35 members, each appointed by the governor. For each court vacancy, the commission recommends candidates, but the governor is not bound to the commission's choices and may choose to appoint a judge not found on the list.^[2] If appointed, an interim judge must run in the next general election held at least six months after the appointment, and, if confirmed by voters, he or she may finish the rest of the predecessor's term.^[1]^[3]^[4] There is one current vacancy on the Georgia Supreme Court, out of the court's 9 judicial positions. The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.

Elections

2024

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2024

Michael P. Boggs' seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Michael P. Boggs won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael P. Boggs (Nonpartisan)	100.0	1,058,570

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,058,570
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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John Ellington's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent John Ellington won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Ellington (Nonpartisan)	100.0	1,059,108

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,059,108
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nels Peterson's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Nels Peterson won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nels Peterson (Nonpartisan)	100.0	1,049,781

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,049,781
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Andrew Pinson's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Andrew Pinson defeated John Barrow in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 21, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Andrew Pinson (Nonpartisan)	55.0	644,781
	John Barrow (Nonpartisan)	45.0	528,468

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,173,249
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2022

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2022

Colvin's seat

General election

Special general election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Verda Colvin defeated Veronica Brinson in the special general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Verda Colvin (Nonpartisan)	68.3	1,168,175
	Submit photo	Veronica Brinson (Nonpartisan)	31.7	541,628

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,709,803
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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LaGrua's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Shawn Ellen LaGrua won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Shawn Ellen LaGrua (Nonpartisan)	100.0	1,623,542

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,623,542
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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McMillian's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Carla W. McMillian won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Carla W. McMillian (Nonpartisan)	100.0	1,626,408

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,626,408
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2020

Bethel's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Charlie Bethel defeated Beth Beskin in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on June 9, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Charlie Bethel (Nonpartisan)	52.2	1,098,264
	Beth Beskin (Nonpartisan)	47.8	1,006,065

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,104,329
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Warren's seat

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Sarah Warren defeated Hal Moroz in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on June 9, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Sarah Warren (Nonpartisan)	78.7	1,652,532
	Hal Moroz (Nonpartisan)	21.3	446,026

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,098,558
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2018

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2018

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Harold Melton won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Harold Melton (Nonpartisan)	100.0	894,149

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 894,149
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

John Ellington won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Ellington (Nonpartisan)	100.0	898,767

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 898,767
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Michael P. Boggs won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael P. Boggs (Nonpartisan)	100.0	904,702

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 904,702
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Nels Peterson won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nels Peterson (Nonpartisan)	100.0	885,265

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 885,265
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Britt Grant won election in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Britt Grant (Nonpartisan)	100.0	896,313

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 896,313
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

Candidates

■ David Nahmias (Incumbent/Unopposed)

Results

Georgia Supreme Court, David Nahmias' Seat, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
David Nahmias Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	775,214
Total Votes (159 of 159: 100%)		775,214
Source: Georgia Secretary of State Official Results

2014

Unopposed	Judge Harris Hines (Hines)

Unopposed	Judge Keith Blackwell (Blackwell)

Unopposed	Judge Robert Benham (Benham)

2012

Incumbents Carol Hunstein, Harold Melton and Hugh Thompson ran unopposed to retain their seats in a general primary election held on July 31, 2012.^[5]

Results

Contested candidates

Candidate	Incumbency	Election Vote
HunsteinCarol Hunstein A	Yes	99% A
MeltonHarold Melton (Georgia) A	Yes	99% A
ThompsonHugh Thompson A	Yes	99% A

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
Carol Hunstein	$65,213^[6]	Cohen, Cooper, Estep & Allen W. Carl Reynolds, Attorney at law Robert K. Finnell, PC	Lawyers and lobbyists: $50,965 Food and beverage: $588
Harold Melton	$1,100^[7]	Joseph S. Wilson, Jr. MD	Health professionals: $1,100
Hugh Thompson	$117,089^[8]	Billy N. Jones Ralph Knowles Roy E. Barnes	Lawyers and lobbyists: $94,633 Democratic officials, candidates and former members: $3,900 Retired: $2,100

2010

Justice David Nahmias was appointed to his seat in 2009 but had to run in a 2010 retention election to keep his seat. Tammy Lynn Adkins and Matt Wilson ran against Nahmias in the general election held on November 2, 2010. Since none of the candidates received more than 50 percent of the votes cast, Nahmias and Adkins ran against each other in a general runoff election held November 30, 2010.^[5]

Results

Contested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent	Election votes	Election %	Runoff votes	Runoff %
Tammy Lynn Adkins	No	735,799	35.2%	86,938	33%
David Nahmias	Yes	1,007,828	48.2%	176,627	67.0%
Matt Wilson	No	346,537	16.6%

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
Tammy Lynn Adkins	$60,995^[9]	Tammy Lynn Adkins	Lawyers and lobbyists: $36,525 Candidate self-finance: $5,950 Business services: $3,600
David Nahmias	$319,058^[10]	David E. Nahmias Loose Group Frank C. Jones	Lawyers and lobbyists: $207,239 Candidate self-finance: $20,000 Candidate committees: $9,360
Matt Wilson	$$208,197^[11]	Matt Wilson Georgia Certified Development Corp. Sum Global Technology	Candidate self-finance: $171,137 Lawyers and lobbyists: $9,750 Commercial banks: $5,000

2008

In the general election held on November 4, 2008, incumbents Robert Benham and Harris Hines ran unopposed to retain their seats on the Georgia Supreme Court.^[5]

Results

Uncontested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent
Robert Benham A	Yes
Harris Hines A	Yes

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
Robert Benham	$232,556^[12]	Kenneth S. Canfield Roy E. Barnes John Aubrey Chandler	Lawyers and lobbyists: $195,524 Insurance: $5,151 Food and beverage: $5,000
Harris Hines	$162,450^[13]	Michael L. McGlamry	Lawyers and lobbyists: $116,625 Retired: $6,950 Beer, wine and liquor: $4,000

2006

In the general election held on November 7, 2006, Mike Wiggins ran against incumbent Carol W. Hunstein who ran to retain her seat on the Georgia Supreme Court. Incumbents George H. Carley, Harold D. Melton and Hugh P. Thompson ran unopposed to retain their seats.^[5]

Results

Contested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent	Seat	Election votes	Election %
Carol W. Hunstein	Yes		1,170,973	63.1%
Mike Wiggins	No		683,483	36.9%

Uncontested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent
George H. Carley A	Yes
Harold D. Melton A	Yes
Hugh P. Thompson A	Yes

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
Carol W. Hunstein	$1,382,015^[6]	Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan Foy R. Devine McKenna, Long & Aldridge	Lawyers and lobbyists: $1,044,970 Candidate committees: $40,900 Real estate: $28,704
Mike Wiggins	$311,107^[14]	Georgia Hospital Association John Malcom Bernard Marcus	Lawyers and lobbyists: $43,270 Insurance: $33,825 Health professionals: $27,170
George H. Carley	$2,025^[15]		Lawyers and lobbyists: $2,025
Harold D. Melton	$81,360^[7]	McKenna, Long & Aldridge Dellwood Farms Benjamin J. Finley	Lawyers and lobbyists: $49,214 Business services: $3,220 Crop production and basic processing: $3,000
Hugh P. Thompson	$17,510^[8]	Andrew M. Scherffius Ralph Knowles Emmet Bondurant	Lawyers and lobbyists: $20,000 Real estate: $612 Candidate committees: $337

2004

During the July 20, 2004 primary election, Grant Brantley ran against incumbent Leah Sears.^[5]

Results

Contested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent	Seat	Election votes	Election %
Grant Brantley	No		451,320	37.7%
Leah Sears	Yes		745,011	62.3%

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
Grant Brantley	$264,535^[16]	Grant Brantley James M. Reynolds, III Richard D. Eckburg	Lawyers and lobbyists: $95,770 Candidate self-finance: $27,431 Real estate: $18,058
Leah Sears	$533,666^[17]	Jay Forbes Hirsch Lucy H. Draper Mathis Law Firm	Lawyers and lobbyists: $348,754 Education: $13,000 Health professionals: $10,100

2002

In the primary election held on August 20, 2002, Ira McKee ran against incumbent Robert Benham. Ben Ballenger and Russell Parker ran against incumbent Norman S. Fletcher. Incumbent Harris Hines ran unopposed to retain his seat.^[5]

Results

Contested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent	Seat	Election votes	Election %
Robert Benham	Yes	Benham	549,272	69.9%
Ira McKee	No	Benham	236,122	30.1%
Ben Ballenger	No	Fletcher	121,268	15.6%
Norman S. Fletcher	Yes	Fletcher	475,285	61.3%
Russell Parker	No	Fletcher	179,265	23.1%

Uncontested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent
Harris Hines A	Yes

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
Robert Benham	$281,683^[12]	Alston & Bird Thomas William Malone Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan	Lawyers and lobbyists: $245,016 Insurance: $6,000 Candidate committees: $5,200
Ben Ballenger	$0^[18]
Norman S. Fletcher	$370,988^[19]	State Mutual Insurance Co. Thomas William Malone Robert K. Finnell	Lawyers and lobbyists: $$299,523 Insurance: $18,600 Retired: $4,350
Harris Hines	$23,765^[13]	Troutman Sanders LLP Hubert L. Harris, Jr.	Lawyers and lobbyists: $17,475 General contractors: $1,500 Securities and investment: $1,000
Ira McKee	$18,529^[20]	Ira McKee	Candidate self-finance: $16,795
Russell Parker	$26,743^[21]	Troutman Sanders LLP Hubert L. Harris, Jr.	Lawyers and lobbyists: $17,475 General contractors: $1,500 Securities and investment: $1,000

2000

In the 2000 primary election held on July 18, 2000, incumbents George Carley, Carol Hunstein and Hugh Thompson won re-election to retain their seats.^[5]

Results

Uncontested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent
George Carley A	Yes
Carol Hunstein A	Yes
Hugh Thompson A	Yes

Total Campaign Contributions

Candidate	Total contributions	Top contributors	Top contributions by industry
George Carley	$4,368^[15]	William S. Stone John J. Monahan	Unitemized contributions: $3,850 Finance, insurance and real estate: $259 Lawyers and lobbyists: $259
Carol Hunstein	$30,520^[6]	Linda A. Klein Stephanie Ethel Parker William S. Stone	Lawyers and lobbyists: $29,220 Food and beverage: $1,000 Insurance: $200
Hugh Thompson	$4,000^[8]	James A. Mathis, Jr. William S. Stone Butler, Wooten, Overby, Fryhofer, Daugherty & Sullivan	Lawyers and lobbyists: $4,000

1998

In a primary election held on July 21, 1998, Bill Aynes and George Weaver ran against incumbent Leah J. Sears.^[5]

Results

Contested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent	Election votes	Election %
Bill Aynes	No	126,512	18.1%
Leah J. Sears	Yes	378,151	54%
George Weaver	No	95,017	27.9%

Total Campaign Contributions

1996

In a general primary election held on July 9, 1996, incumbents Robert Benham, Harris Hines and Norman S. Fletcher all ran unopposed to retain their seats.^[5]

Results

Uncontested candidates

Candidate	Incumbent
Robert Benham A	Yes
Norman S. Fletcher A	Yes
Harris Hines A	Yes

Total Campaign Contributions

External links

Suggest a link

Footnotes

Georgia courts

Federal courts:

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia

State courts:

Georgia Supreme Court • Georgia Court of Appeals • Georgia Superior Courts • Georgia State Courts • Georgia Business Court • Georgia Tax Court • Georgia Juvenile Courts • Georgia Probate Courts • Georgia Magistrate Courts • Georgia Municipal Courts

State resources:

Courts in Georgia • Georgia judicial elections • Judicial selection in Georgia

[GAgen-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Georgia," archived October 2, 2014

[nom-2] American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Georgia; Judicial Nominating Commissions," archived October 2, 2014

[3] Governor Brian Kemp, "Executive Order," accessed March 29, 2023

[4] Governor Brian Kemp, "Gov. Kemp Names 35 to Judicial Nominating Commission," October 27, 2021

[garesults-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 ^5.4 ^5.5 ^5.6 ^5.7 ^5.8 Georgia Secretary of State, "Georgia Election Results," accessed July 10, 2013

[hunstein-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Carol Hunstein," accessed July 16, 2013

[melton-7] 7.0 ^7.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Harold D. Melton," accessed July 16, 2013

[thompson-8] 8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Hugh P. Thompson," accessed July 16, 2013 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "thompson" defined multiple times with different content

[adkins-9] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Tammy Lynn Adkins," accessed July 16, 2013

[nahmias-10] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: David Nahmias," accessed July 16, 2013

[wilson-11] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Matt Wilson," accessed July 16, 2013

[benham-12] 12.0 ^12.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Robert Benham," accessed July 16, 2013

[hines-13] 13.0 ^13.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Harris Hines," accessed July 16, 2013

[wiggins-14] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Mike Wiggins," accessed July 16, 2013

[carley-15] 15.0 ^15.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: George H. Carley," accessed July 16, 2013

[brantley-16] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Grant Brantley," accessed July 16, 2013

[sears-17] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Leah Sears," accessed July 16, 2013

[ballenger-18] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Ben Ballenger," accessed July 16, 2013

[fletcher-19] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Norman Fletcher," accessed July 16, 2013

[mckee-20] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Ira McKee," accessed July 16, 2013

[parker-21] www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Russell Parker," accessed July 23, 2013

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