Georgia Supreme Court elections

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

## Contents

* 1 Judicial selection
* 1.1 Qualifications
* 1.2 Chief justice
* 1.3 Vacancies
* 2 Elections
* 2.1 2016
* 2.1.1 Candidates
* 2.1.2 Results
* 2.2 2014
* 2.3 2012
* 2.4 2010
* 2.5 2008
* 2.6 2006
* 2.7 2004
* 2.8 2002
* 2.8.1 Contested candidates
* 2.8.2 Uncontested candidates
* 2.9 2000
* 2.10 1998
* 2.11 1996
* 3 See also
* 4 External links
* 5 Footnotes

## Judicial selection[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

### Vacancies[edit]

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[edit]

* 2030
* 2028
* 2026
* 2024
* 2022
* 2020
* 2018

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2030

###  John Ellington's seat

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

###  Nels Peterson's seat

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

###  Andrew Pinson's seat

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2028

###  Shawn Ellen LaGrua's seat

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

###  Carla McMillian's seat

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

###  Verda Colvin's seat

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

###  Ben Land's seat

####  General election

The general election will occur on May 19, 2026.

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Ben Land (Nonpartisan) is running in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 19, 2026.

Candidate

|

| Ben Land (Nonpartisan)

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

###  Sarah Warren's seat

####  General election

The general election will occur on May 19, 2026.

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Sarah Hawkins Warren (Nonpartisan) and Jen Jordan (Nonpartisan) are running in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 19, 2026.

Candidate

|

| Sarah Hawkins Warren (Nonpartisan)

| Jen Jordan (Nonpartisan)

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

|

= 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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Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

###  Charlie Bethel's seat

####  General election

The general election will occur on May 19, 2026.

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Charlie Bethel (Nonpartisan) and Miracle Rankin (Nonpartisan) are running in the general election for Georgia Supreme Court on May 19, 2026.

Candidate

|

| Charlie Bethel (Nonpartisan)

Submit photo

| Miracle Rankin (Nonpartisan)

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2024

###  John Ellington's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent John Ellington (Nonpartisan) 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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###  Andrew Pinson's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Andrew Pinson (Nonpartisan) defeated John Barrow (Nonpartisan) 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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###  Michael Boggs' seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Michael P. Boggs (Nonpartisan) 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.
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 (Nonpartisan) 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.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2022

###  Regular election: McMillian's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Carla W. McMillian (Nonpartisan) 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.
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.

###  Special election: Colvin's seat

####  General election

##### Special general election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Verda Colvin (Nonpartisan) defeated Veronica Brinson (Nonpartisan) 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.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

###  Regular election: LaGrua's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Shawn Ellen LaGrua (Nonpartisan) 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.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2020

###  Blackwell's seat

####  General election

The general election scheduled for June 9, 2020, was canceled.

###  Warren's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

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

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Sarah Hawkins 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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###  Benham's seat

####  General election

The general election scheduled for June 9, 2020, was canceled.

###  Bethel's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Charlie Bethel (Nonpartisan) defeated Beth Beskin (Nonpartisan) 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.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2018

###  Grant's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Britt Grant (Nonpartisan) 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.

###  Melton's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Harold Melton (Nonpartisan) 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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###  Hunstein's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

John Ellington (Nonpartisan) 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.

###  Peterson's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Nels Peterson (Nonpartisan) 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.

###  Boggs's seat

####  General election

##### General election for Georgia Supreme Court

Incumbent Michael P. Boggs (Nonpartisan) 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.

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Previous election results

### 2016

#### Candidates[edit]

■ David Nahmias (Incumbent/Unopposed)

#### Results[edit]

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)

|

* Click here for 2014 General Election Results from the Georgia Secretary of State.

### 2012

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

HunsteinCarol Hunstein A| Yes| | 99% A
MeltonHarold Melton (Georgia) A| Yes| | 99% A
ThompsonHugh Thompson A| Yes| | 99% A

### 2010

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2010

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | David Nahmias Incumbent | 67% | 176,627
| Nonpartisan  |  Tammy Lynn Adkins | 33% | 86,938
Total Votes | 263,565

* Click here for 2010 General Election Results from the Georgia Secretary of State.

### 2008

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2008

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Harris Hines Incumbent | 100% | 2,801,588
Total Votes | 2,801,588

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2008

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Robert Benham Incumbent | 100% | 2,812,875
Total Votes | 2,812,875

* Click here for 2008 General Election Results from the Georgia Secretary of State.

### 2006

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Harold Melton Incumbent | 100% | 1,605,179
Total Votes | 1,605,179

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | George Carley Incumbent | 100% | 1,609,144
Total Votes | 1,609,144

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Hugh Thompson Incumbent | 100% | 1,596,458
Total Votes | 1,596,458

Georgia Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Carol Hunstein Incumbent | 100% | 683,483
| Nonpartisan  |  Mike Wiggins  | 0% | 0
Total Votes | 683,483

* Click here for 2006 General Election Results from the Georgia Secretary of State.

### 2004

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

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|

Grant Brantley | No | | 451,320 | 37.7%
Leah Sears | Yes | | 745,011 | 62.3%

### 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]

#### 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

### 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]

Candidate | Incumbent

|

George Carley A | Yes
Carol Hunstein A | Yes
Hugh Thompson A | Yes

### 1998

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

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|

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

### 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]

Candidate | Incumbent

|

Robert Benham A | Yes
Norman S. Fletcher A | Yes
Harris Hines A | Yes

## See also[edit]

Georgia | Judicial Selection | More Courts

|
|

Courts in Georgia Georgia Court of Appeals Georgia Supreme Court |  Elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 Gubernatorial appointments Judicial selection in Georgia |  Federal courts State courts Local courts

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Search Google News for this topic
* Georgia Supreme Court

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Georgia," archived October 2, 2014
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
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `garesults`

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