Georgia judicial elections, 2014

Georgia judicial elections, 2014
Total candidates:	163
Incumbents:	128
Unopposed:	118

2015 → ← 2013
Judicial Elections
Judicial elections, 2014
Judicial election dates
Candidates by state
Supreme court elections

The Georgia judicial elections were some of the earliest in the nation, as they held their general election in May. See what happened in 2014 below.

Election dates

• March 7: Filing deadline
• May 20: General election
• July 22: Runoff election

In addition to candidate lists, this page includes information about how the state's judicial elections work, as well as articles about notable news in races across the state.

Runoff results

Below are the results of the July 22 runoff election. Runoffs were held to decide races in which no candidate received over 50% of the votes on May 20.

Court	Candidates	Runoff winner
Atlanta Circuit	Jane Barwick A vs. Shelitha Robertson	Barwick with 62.6% of the vote
Cobb Circuit	Ann Harris A vs. Juanita Pierson Stedman	Harris with 61.7% of the vote
Conasauga Circuit	David Blevins (Incumbent) vs. Jim Wilbanks A	Wilbanks with 60.0% of the vote
Tallapoosa Circuit	Meng H. Lim A vs. Charles Morris	Lim with 61.7% of the vote

Appellate courts

The staff at Judgepedia is currently working hard to develop our election pages and insure that we satisfy the needs of our interested readers. This page is still being developed and candidate lists are still being populated. If you would like to assist with elections, please contact: Matt Latourelle.

Superior courts

Jump to court:

1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th

The staff at Judgepedia is currently working hard to develop our election pages and insure that we satisfy the needs of our interested readers. This page is still being developed and candidate lists are still being populated. If you would like to assist with elections, please contact: Matt Latourelle.

State courts

Jump to court:

Appling • Baldwin • Bibb • Charlton • Chattooga • Cherokee • Clayton • Cobb • Coweta • DeKalb • Douglas • Effingham • Evans • Fayette • Forsyth • Fulton • Grady • Gwinnett • Hall • Henry • Houston • Jeff Davis • Jenkins • McIntosh • Muscogee • Pierce • Putnam • Richmond • Sumter • Tattnall • Tift

The staff at Judgepedia is currently working hard to develop our election pages and insure that we satisfy the needs of our interested readers. This page is still being developed and candidate lists are still being populated. If you would like to assist with elections, please contact: Matt Latourelle.

Magistrate courts

Jump to court:

Appling • Colquitt • Cook • DeKalb • Hancock • Henry • Madison • Meriwether • Montgomery • Murray • Putnam • Rabun • Troup

The staff at Judgepedia is currently working hard to develop our election pages and insure that we satisfy the needs of our interested readers. This page is still being developed and candidate lists are still being populated. If you would like to assist with elections, please contact: Matt Latourelle.

Process

Judicial elections are held in even-numbered years and take place on the primary date.

There are no judicial primaries in Georgia, since judicial elections are non-partisan. Judicial elections are held on the state's primary date.

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the election (at least 50%+1 of the vote), a runoff election will be held between the two candidates with the most votes.

Judges elected in Georgia take office on January 1 following the election.

In the news

The following articles were current as of the dates listed.

Georgia's notable results May 29, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Primary season in high gear--what you may have missed and upcoming races to watch Many judicial elections are decided by the filing deadline, especially when a candidate runs unopposed, as Georgia incumbents often do. We've put together a selection of brief notable races that involved a bit more of a battle during the campaign, and some races that remain undecided as they head to a runoff. The retirement of judge Frank D. Horkan left an open seat right before the election and offered a ripe opportunity for three candidates to compete for the judgeship. Georgia's Southern Judicial Circuit is comprised of five counties. Candidate Brian McDaniel was able to win majorities in four of them to win the election outright, without needing a runoff. In Georgia, a candidate must carry at least a simple majority (50% plus one vote) to win an election. McDaniel received 50.21 percent of the circuit, barely escaping a runoff with second-place Vernita L. Bender. 16,890 votes were cast in the election, 8,480 of which were for McDaniel, meaning McDaniel won by only 70 votes. Meng Lim led a four-candidate pack running for the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit, but it wasn't enough to escape a runoff. He pulled in just shy of 36% of the vote, far short of the simple majority needed to make the race decisive. Lim will face Charles Morris in a runoff during the November general election. Morris claimed just over 28% of the vote, earning him second place and a spot in the runoff. Two other contenders, who were eliminated, Vicky Robinson Atkins and Andrew B. Roper, won a combined 36.4% of the vote, leaving a decisive number of votes up for grabs in the runoff that could go either way. Cynthia D. Wright's retirement from the Atlanta Fulton Judicial Circuit left an open seat and three candidates vying to fill it. The clear frontrunner, Jane Barwick, was only one-third of a percent away from winning outright. Of the over 70,000 votes cast, she fell 418 short. She will face Shelitha Robertson in a runoff. Robertson pulled in a bit over 31.5% of the vote.

Judicial candidate cries foul over absentee ballot May 22, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Don't discount the primaries! Many races already concluded Adam S. Poppell, III, of Georgia's McIntosh County State Court, has accused his opponent, sitting judge C. Jean Bolin, of election law violations. Poppell has made a formal request for a warrant against Bolin and a woman working on her campaign, Donna R. Caldwell. Specifically, Poppell claimed in his letter requesting a warrant that Bolin and Caldwell went to the home of Effie Young with an absentee ballot, and Caldwell allegedly assisted her with completing her ballot. However, Caldwell failed to note on the ballot that she had provided assistance, as required under state law. After the ballot was completed, Caldwell allegedly sealed it, without showing the contents to Young. Poppell claims, Young "repeatedly told Ms. Caldwell that she wished to vote for me." The information regarding the activities of Bolin and Caldwell was discovered by Poppell’s mother after she called Young to see if she had voted. Young had been ill and requested an absentee ballot. Poppell reported the incident to the McIntosh County Board of Elections, who looked into the matter and then voided Young’s ballot. Bolin was appointed to the bench by Governor Nathan Deal in 2013, after the retirement of Dale Jenkins. This is the first time she has run for re-election. According to an article in the Florida Times Union, Poppell had hoped to be appointed to the position instead. Finding a judge to preside over the warrant hearing has been a challenge, so the case will not be able to be heard until after the election. Teresa K. Jennings is the magistrate judge for the county, but she and the assistant magistrates have recused themselves from hearing the case. Instead, a Chatham County judge will be appointed to decide on the matter.

Appointed judges draw challengers in Georgia April 24, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Primary match-ups across the nation Georgia, as in most states, uses a method of judicial appointment when a judge retires or resigns between election years. This election cycle, several challengers have stepped into the judicial races, stating that the appointed judges do not represent their communities. Fulton Superior Court Judge Thomas R Campbell, Jr. is one such appointee who has drawn a challenge from Thomas A. Cox, Jr., a local litigator. Cox said he entered the race because there is need for greater diversity on the bench in Fulton County. He stated that it is "not surprising" some perceive "fairness or equal treatment" are undermined, because such a large proportion of superior court judges are appointed in Georgia. He cited concerns that the community has not played a role in selecting the judges, and said that this has caused some to question the fairness of the process. Campbell was appointed in 2004 by Governor Sonny Perdue. He has not drawn a challenger until now. Previously, Campbell served in the Georgia House of Representatives, from which Gov. Perdue drew him to the bench. He said that his career goal since law school was to become a superior court judge. Both candidates are experienced campaigners. Cox bid unsuccessfully for a seat on Atlanta's city council in 1997. According to the first financial disclosures, Campbell has a little over $60,000 to spend in his campaign coffers, a gargantuan war chest for a local judicial election in Georgia.

Tallapoosa judge race draws multiple candidates April 10, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: The "E" word in judicial elections: Ethics The retirement of judge Richard C. Sutton has sparked a four-way contest for his soon-to-be-vacant seat. Sutton, who has served on the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit for over 14 years, will retire on the eve of his fifteenth year on the court. Sutton has been the only judge to hold the seat since the position was created in 2000. He was a private practice attorney for 32 years prior to his appointment. His possible replacements come from a variety of judicial, public and private law backgrounds. Each contender has experience in both the public and private practice of law, in some capacity. Candidates qualifying to run include: Andrew B. Roper, who serves as a municipal court judge in Cedartown, Georgia. He also owns his own law firm in Cedartown. Vickey Robinson Atkins boasts a similar background. She's an attorney in private practice, as well as a municipal court judge in Rockmart, Georgia. Charles Morris, a juvenile court judge for both Polk and Haralson counties, also has his own private law practice. The fourth candidate, Meng H. Lim is an experienced private attorney, and she also serves as the county attorney in Haralson County.

Judge retires, three contend for open seat in 2014 April 3, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Who's qualified? Courts, candidates and special interest groups all want a say Several large nonpartisan races are on the ballot in Georgia this year, but ranking high on the list is the contest for Judge James Bodiford's seat on the Cobb Judicial Circuit. Bodiford announced he would not be seeking re-election in 2014. The Seventh District judge has held the post for a solid twenty years, first taking office in 1994. Bodiford was a judge who maintained strong popular support. He won his most recent election (2010) with nearly 75% of the vote, against former challenger Normarene Culver Merritt. Bodiford stated that he announced his retirement to give potential candidates enough time to prepare their campaigns. With Bodiford bowing out, three candidates filed to run for the open seat, making it the most contested race of Georgia's nonpartisan superior court elections for 2014. The three qualified candidates are: Ann Harris currently holds Cobb County's senior post as assistant district attorney. She has tried rape, murder, human trafficking and armed robbery cases, among other serious cases in her career. Juanita Pierson Stedman also filed to run for the same office. Stedman is a juvenile court judge in Cobb County, Georgia. She also has experience as a special education teacher, law clerk and owner of a private law practice. Stedman is running as a "proven conservative", according to her website statement. Nathan J. Wade is an attorney in the Cobb county area, and he has experience on the bench as an associate judge for the Municipal Court of Marietta, Georgia, and as a pro hac judge on the State Court of Cobb County. Wade has also served as Special Assistant Attorney General. The winner will serve for a four-year term.

Delayed judicial race turns competitive as contenders enter the race March 27, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Women successful in judicial races as incumbents face challengers Georgia holds non-partisan judicial elections in even-numbered years. In its judicial determination contests, each candidate faces off in an all-versus-all race. A maximum of two winners go to a runoff, if no candidate wins by a simple majority. In the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, three contenders have filed to run in the May 20 election. By Georgia election standards, the Conasauga circuit is long overdue for an election. Incumbent judge David Blevins was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to complete the unexpired term of former judge Robert Adams, whose term was set to expire in 2012. Georgia election laws state that an appointee must face re-election in the next general election held at "least six months" after their appointment. Blevins' appointment fell within the narrow six-month window of the 2012 general election, thereby delaying the circuit's election until the 2014 general election. Entering the race to challenge Blevins is Scott Helton, an assistant district attorney, and Jim Wilbanks, a municipal court judge in Dalton, Georgia. The last judicial election for Adams' seat was in 2008, when Adams sought and won re-election. Therefore, the voters in the district have not had the opportunity to vote in six years. Wilbanks has experience as a municipal court judge, and has served as a pro tem judge on more than one occasion for the Georgia superior court system. Helton was a law clerk for the Conasauga circuit courts early in his career. Blevins was a private practice attorney before his 2012 appointment and has characterized himself as "generally conservative", despite the fact that Georgia's judicial elections are non-partisan. The filing deadline has passed, so the race is limited to the three current contenders. Wilbanks announced his previous desire to run in 2012, but was denied the opportunity through the timing of Adams' retirement. The Conasauga Judicial Circuit serves Murray and Whitfield counties.

Paulding Superior Court election cancelled amid investigation March 20, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Controversy around judicial election laws The Paulding Judicial Circuit in Georgia's Seventh Superior Court District will no longer have candidates on the ballot for the judicial election. Elizabeth Osborne Williams originally entered the race for the Seventh Superior Court District seat as a challenger to her father, incumbent judge James R. Osborne. Osborne, who originally filed for candidacy on the first day of filing, withdrew his candidacy on March 10, 2014, and announced his intent to retire at the end of his term. Williams was the only candidate that filed for election to replace Osborne, and she filed on the March 7 deadline. Some critics have claimed that Judge Obsborne qualified to run only to discourage challengers from filing against his daughter. Government agencies charged with election oversight opened investigations into the circumstances. The Judicial Qualifications Commissions of Georgia, a commission with oversight authority pertaining to qualifications, conduct, and ethics of Georgia judges and judicial candidates, agreed not to pursue ethics charges if both Williams and Osborne withdrew their candidacy. Shortly thereafter, Williams withdrew. In a TV interview, Osborne denied any scheme or wrongdoing. Because there are no qualified candidates on the ballot this year, the Paulding Judicial Circuit judge will be selected through the gubernatorial appointment method of selection.

Filing deadline passes, competitive races start to emerge March 13, 2014

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See also: JP Election Brief: Close races, scandal and removal from the ballot Georgia's Brunswick Judicial Circuit emerged early as a competitive judicial race for 2014, where two candidates announced intent to run. Both candidates are experienced in election politics, and both have competed with each other indirectly for the very same position. Experienced challenger Mary Helen Moses, who ran and lost against the former incumbent judge in 2010, is facing incumbent Roger B. Lane, who was appointed to fill the position by Governor Nathan Deal when the elected judge resigned. Lane is a former Georgia state representative, and was appointed mid-term to replace Amanda F. Williams, who was facing discipline from the Judicial Qualifications Commission. Though the Georgia Superior Court elections are non-partisan, Roger B. Lane was a Republican representative, and is well-known in his county Republican circles. Moses, likewise, has been recorded as voting in Republican primaries and was a member of the Golden Isles Republican Women. Adding to the competitive nature of the election, Moses was among the nominated attorneys to fill the vacancy left by Judge Williams, a pool which numbered around 20 attorneys. Moses is a law professor at Mercer University and practicing attorney in the Brunswick area. She managed to earn 36 percent of the vote in her previous challenge.

See also

• Georgia judicial elections
• Judicial selection in Georgia

External links

• Georgia Secretary of State, "Elections"