Georgia Supreme Court elections

There are nine justices on the Georgia Supreme Court. In Georgia, judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections. The governor appoints judges with the help of a nominating commission in the event of a midterm vacancy. For more information about these elections, visit the Georgia judicial elections page.

## 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. The judicial nominating commission consists of eighteen members, each appointed by the governor. For each court vacancy, the commission recommends five candidates (unless fewer than five are found to be qualified), 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]

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.

## Elections[edit]

# 2020[edit]

See also: Georgia Supreme Court elections, 2020

### Bethel's seat[edit]

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

|
|

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

### Warren's seat[edit]

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.

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

# 2018[edit]

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

|
|

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

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

|
|

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

|
|

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

|
|

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

|
|

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

# 2016[edit]

#### 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[edit]

See also: Georgia judicial elections, 2014

Unopposed|  Judge Harris Hines (Hines)

|

Unopposed|  Judge Keith Blackwell (Blackwell)

|

Unopposed|  Judge Robert Benham (Benham)

|

# 2012[edit]

See also: Georgia judicial elections, 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.[3]

### Results

### Contested candidates

| 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

### Total Campaign Contributions

| Candidate | Total contributions| Top contributors| Top contributions by industry

|
|
|

Carol Hunstein | $65,213[4]| 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[5]| Joseph S. Wilson, Jr. MD
| Health professionals: $1,100

Hugh Thompson| $117,089[6]| 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[edit]

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.[3]

See also: Georgia judicial elections, 2010

### Results

### Contested candidates

| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| 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[7]| Tammy Lynn Adkins
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $36,525
Candidate self-finance: $5,950
Business services: $3,600

David Nahmias| $319,058[8]| 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[9]| Matt Wilson
Georgia Certified Development Corp.
Sum Global Technology
| Candidate self-finance: $171,137
Lawyers and lobbyists: $9,750
Commercial banks: $5,000

# 2008[edit]

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.[3]

### 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[10]| 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[11]| Michael L. McGlamry
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $116,625
Retired: $6,950
Beer, wine and liquor: $4,000

# 2006[edit]

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.[3]

### 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[4]| 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[12]| Georgia Hospital Association
John Malcom
Bernard Marcus
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $43,270
Insurance: $33,825
Health professionals: $27,170

George H. Carley| $2,025[13]| | Lawyers and lobbyists: $2,025

Harold D. Melton| $81,360[5]| 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[6]| Andrew M. Scherffius
Ralph Knowles
Emmet Bondurant
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $20,000
Real estate: $612
Candidate committees: $337

# 2004[edit]

During the July 20, 2004 primary election, Grant Brantley ran against incumbent Leah Sears.[3]

### 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[14]| 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[15]| Jay Forbes Hirsch
Lucy H. Draper
Mathis Law Firm
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $348,754
Education: $13,000
Health professionals: $10,100

# 2002[edit]

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.[3]

### 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[10]| Alston & Bird
Thomas William Malone
Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $245,016
Insurance: $6,000
Candidate committees: $5,200

Ben Ballenger| $0[16]| |
Norman S. Fletcher| $370,988[17]| 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[11]| 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[18]| Ira McKee
| Candidate self-finance: $16,795

Russell Parker| $26,743[19]| Troutman Sanders LLP
Hubert L. Harris, Jr.
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $17,475
General contractors: $1,500
Securities and investment: $1,000

# 2000[edit]

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.[3]

### 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[13]| William S. Stone
John J. Monahan
| Unitemized contributions: $3,850
Finance, insurance and real estate: $259
Lawyers and lobbyists: $259

Carol Hunstein| $30,520[4]| 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[6]| James A. Mathis, Jr.
William S. Stone
Butler, Wooten, Overby, Fryhofer, Daugherty & Sullivan
| Lawyers and lobbyists: $4,000

# 1998[edit]

In a primary election held on July 21, 1998, Bill Aynes and George Weaver ran against incumbent Leah J. Sears.[3]

### Results

### Contested candidates

| 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%

### Total Campaign Contributions

# 1996[edit]

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.[3]

### Results

### Uncontested candidates

| Candidate | Incumbent

|

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

### Total Campaign Contributions

## See also[edit]

Georgia | Judicial Selection | More Courts

|
|

Courts in Georgia Georgia Court of Appeals Georgia Supreme Court |  Elections: 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. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Georgia Secretary of State, "Georgia Election Results," accessed July 10, 2013
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Carol Hunstein," accessed July 16, 2013
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Harold D. Melton," accessed July 16, 2013
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 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
7. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Tammy Lynn Adkins," accessed July 16, 2013
8. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: David Nahmias," accessed July 16, 2013
9. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Matt Wilson," accessed July 16, 2013
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Robert Benham," accessed July 16, 2013
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Harris Hines," accessed July 16, 2013
12. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Mike Wiggins," accessed July 16, 2013
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: George H. Carley," accessed July 16, 2013
14. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Grant Brantley," accessed July 16, 2013
15. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Leah Sears," accessed July 16, 2013
16. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Ben Ballenger," accessed July 16, 2013
17. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Norman Fletcher," accessed July 16, 2013
18. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Ira McKee," accessed July 16, 2013
19. ↑ www.followthemoney.org, "Candidate Summary: Russell Parker," accessed July 23, 2013

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 Juvenile Courts • Georgia Probate Courts • Georgia Magistrate Courts • Georgia Municipal Courts

State resources:

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