Georgia judicial elections, 2012 - Superior Courts

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Judicial Elections
Judicial elections, 2012
Judicial election dates

## Contents

* 1 Supreme Court
* 2 Court of Appeals
* 3 Superior Courts
* 3.1 1st Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.1.1 Atlantic Judicial Circuit
* 3.1.2 Brunswick Judicial Circuit
* 3.1.3 Eastern Judicial Circuit
* 3.1.4 Ogeechee Judicial Circuit
* 3.1.5 Waycross Judicial Circuit
* 3.2 2nd Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.2.1 Alapaha Judicial Circuit
* 3.2.2 Dougherty Judicial Circuit
* 3.2.3 Pataula Judicial Circuit
* 3.2.4 South Georgia Judicial Circuit
* 3.2.5 Southern Judicial Circuit
* 3.2.6 Tifton Judicial Circuit
* 3.3 3rd Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.3.1 Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit
* 3.3.2 Houston Judicial Circuit
* 3.3.3 Macon Judicial Circuit
* 3.3.4 Southwestern Judicial Circuit
* 3.4 4th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.4.1 Rockdale Judicial Circuit
* 3.4.2 Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
* 3.5 5th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.5.1 Fulton Judicial Circuit
* 3.6 6th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.6.1 Clayton Judicial Circuit
* 3.6.2 Coweta Judicial Circuit
* 3.6.3 Flint Judicial Circuit
* 3.6.4 Griffin Judicial Circuit
* 3.6.5 Towaliga Judicial Circuit
* 3.7 7th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.7.1 Cobb Judicial Circuit
* 3.7.2 Conasauga Judicial Circuit
* 3.7.3 Douglas Judicial Circuit
* 3.7.4 Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit
* 3.7.5 Paulding Judicial Circuit
* 3.7.6 Rome Judicial Circuit
* 3.7.7 Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit
* 3.8 8th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.8.1 Cordele Judicial Circuit
* 3.8.2 Dublin Judicial Circuit
* 3.8.3 Middle Judicial Circuit
* 3.8.4 Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit
* 3.8.5 Oconee Judicial Circuit
* 3.9 9th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.9.1 Appalachian Judicial Circuit
* 3.9.2 Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit
* 3.9.3 Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit
* 3.9.4 Enotah Judicial Circuit
* 3.9.5 Gwinnett Judicial Circuit
* 3.9.6 Mountain Judicial Circuit
* 3.9.7 Northeastern Judicial Circuit
* 3.10 10th Superior Court District of Georgia
* 3.10.1 Alcovy Judicial Circuit
* 3.10.2 Augusta Judicial Circuit
* 3.10.3 Northern Judicial Circuit
* 3.10.4 Piedmont Judicial Circuit
* 3.10.5 Toombs Judicial Circuit
* 3.10.6 Western Judicial Circuit
* 4 State Courts
* 5 In the News
* 5.1 Georgia primary election runoff results
* 5.2 Georgia judicial elections nearly complete
* 5.3 Shake-ups in Georgia Superior Court races
* 5.4 Coweta Judicial Circuit race
* 5.5 Georgia election season heating up
* 5.6 Election date debate in Georgia
* 6 See also
* 7 External links
* 8 Footnotes

The Georgia judicial elections in 2012 followed a different schedule than the elections of 2010. In 2010, judicial candidates participated in both the primary and general elections, but in 2012 candidates ran only in the primary election. Both Republican and Democratic candidates ran in the primary. Where a runoff election was required, candidates competed in a primary election runoff.[1][2]

The primary election took place on July 31, 2012.

## Supreme Court[edit]

See Georgia judicial elections, 2012

## Court of Appeals[edit]

See Georgia judicial elections, 2012

## Superior Courts[edit]

### 1st Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

#### Atlantic Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Rose, Jr.Charles P. Rose, Jr. A| Yes| | 99.7% A
CavenderDavid L. Cavender A| Yes| | 99.7% A
Russell, IIIRobert L. Russell, III A| Yes| | 99.6% A

#### Brunswick Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

HarrisonAnthony Harrison A| Yes| | 99.7% A
Wilkes IIIE. M. Wilkes III A| Yes| | 99.7% A
KelleyStephen D. Kelley A| Yes| | 99.7% A
ScarlettStephen G. Scarlett ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### Eastern Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Bass, Jr.James F. Bass, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
Morse, Jr.John E. Morse Jr.|John E. Morse, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
FreesemannPenny Haas Freesemann ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

#### Ogeechee Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

PeedF. Gates Peed ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
TurnerJohn R. Turner A| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
Woodrum, Jr.William E. Woodrum, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

#### Waycross Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

DeVaneMichael D. DeVane ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

### 2nd Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Second Superior Court has elections in the Dougherty, Pataula, South Georgia, Southern, and Tifton judicial circuits.

#### Alapaha Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

PerkinsCarson Dane Perkins ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

#### Dougherty Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

MarshallDenise Marshall ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
GossStephen S. Goss ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% A
LocketteWillie E. Lockette ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% ApprovedA

#### Pataula Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

LaneRonnie Joe Lane ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### South Georgia Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

CatoA. Wallace Cato ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
ChasonJ. Kevin Chason ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

#### Southern Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Altman, IIHarry Jay Altman II ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
TunisonJames G. Tunison A| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
CowartRichard M. Cowart ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

#### Tifton Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

CrossMelanie Cross ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

### 3rd Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Third Superior Court has elections in the Chattahoochee, Houston, Macon, and Southwestern judicial circuits.

#### Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Smith, IIIArthur L. Smith, III ApprovedA| Yes| | 53.6% ApprovedA
PetersBobby G. Peters ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
McBrideGil McBride ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
AllenJohn D. Allen A| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
MooreLaRae Dixon Moore | No| | 46.4% DefeatedD
RumerWilliam Rumer ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### Houston Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

SmithBonnie Smith | No| | 24.5% DefeatedD
LukemireEdward D. Lukemire ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
Nunn, Jr.George F. Nunn, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 75.4% ApprovedA
LumsdenKatherine K. Lumsden A| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### Macon Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Ennis, Jr.Edgar W. Ennis Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.9% ApprovedA
BrownS. Phillip Brown ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### Southwestern Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Peagler, Jr.George M. Peagler, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
SmithR. Rucker Smith ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.2% ApprovedA

### 4th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Fourth Superior Court has elections in the Rockdale and Stone Mountain judicial circuits.

#### Rockdale Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

WinfreyEarnelle Winfrey | No| | 21.5% DefeatedD
WashingtonGary W. Washington | No| | 16.8% D
MumfordRobert F. Mumford ApprovedA| No| | 61.6% ApprovedA

#### Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

SeeligerClarence F. Seeliger ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
BeckerCynthia J. Becker ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
FlakeGail C. Flake ApprovedA| Yes| | 72.1% ApprovedA
AdamsGregory A. Adams ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
HunterLinda Warren Hunter ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% A
ScottMark Anthony Scott ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
RothenbergMichael Rothenberg | No| | 27.8% DefeatedD
BarrieTangela Barrie ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

### 5th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Fifth Superior Court has elections in the Fulton Judicial Circuit.

#### Fulton Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Dempsey, Jr.Alford J. Dempsey, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
LaneBensonetta Tipton Lane ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
Johnson, Jr.Clarence R. Johnson, Jr. | No| | 45.8% DefeatedD
RussellConstance C. Russell A| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
MarkleDavid Markle ApprovedA| Yes| | 54.1% ApprovedA
DownsDoris L. Downs ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
TusanGail S. Tusan ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
NewkirkHenry M. Newkirk ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
GogerJohn J. Goger ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
Esmond AdamsKimberly M. Esmond Adams A| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
LaGruaShawn LaGrua ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
BedfordT. Jackson Bedford ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
GlanvilleUral D. Glanville ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
ShoobWendy L. Shoob ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

### 6th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Sixth Superior Court has elections in the Clayton, Coweta, Flint, Griffin, and Towaliga judicial circuits.

#### Clayton Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

BenefieldDeborah C. Benefield ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.3% A
SimmonsMatthew O. Simmons ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### Coweta Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Baldwin, Jr.A. Quillian Baldwin, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
BlackmonDennis T. Blackmon ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
PalmerEmory Palmer ApprovedA| No| | 50.1% ApprovedA
KirbyJack Kirby ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
SimpsonJohn T. Simpson A| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
McMurryKevin McMurry | No| | 49.1% DefeatedD

#### Flint Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

McGarityArch W. McGarity ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

#### Griffin Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

CrawfordRobert M. Crawford ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
HankinsonTommy Richard Hankinson ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
SamsW. Fletcher Sams ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% A

#### Towaliga Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

FearsWilliam A. Fears ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% ApprovedA

### 7th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Seventh Superior Court has elections in the Cobb, Conasauga, Douglas, Lookout Mountain, Paulding, Rome, and Tallapoosa judicial circuits.

#### Cobb Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

PooleA. Gregory Poole ApprovedA| No| | 51.3% ApprovedA
GrubbsAdele Grubbs ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.4% ApprovedA
StaleyMary E. Staley ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
GreenReuben Green ApprovedA| Yes| | 54.8% ApprovedA
CastellanosRoland R. Castellanos | No| | 26.3% D
IngramS. Lark Ingram ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
SchusterStephen Schuster ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
KellTain Kell ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
PearlbergVan Pearlberg | No| | 22.2% DefeatedD

#### Conasauga Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

PartainJack Partain ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.4% ApprovedA

#### Douglas Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

McClainBeau McClain ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% A

#### Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

HouseBrian House ApprovedA| Yes| | 98.4% ApprovedA
GrahamKristina Cook Graham ApprovedA| Yes| | 99% ApprovedA

#### Paulding Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

VinsonKenneth G. Vinson ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.4% ApprovedA
BeaversTonny S. Beavers ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.1% ApprovedA

#### Rome Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Durham, Jr.J. Bryant Durham, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% A
NiedrachJohn E. Niedrach ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

#### Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

MurphyMichael L. Murphy (Georgia) ApprovedA| Yes| | 98.9% ApprovedA

### 8th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Eighth Superior Court has elections in the Cordele, Dublin, Middle, Ocmulgee, and Oconee judicial circuits.

#### Cordele Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

PridgenJohn C. Pridgen ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
Chasteen, Jr.Robert W. Chasteen Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
HughesT. Christopher Hughes ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% A

#### Dublin Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

GillisDonald W. Gillis ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
Flanders, Jr.H. Gibbs Flanders, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
HeltonJon F. Helton ApprovedA| Yes| | 50.14% ApprovedA

#### Middle Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

PalmerKathy Palmer ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% ApprovedA

#### Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Wingfield, IIIHugh V. Wingfield, III ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
GeorgeHulane E. George A| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
Cline, Jr.James L. Cline, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
PriorWilliam A. Prior Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

#### Oconee Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Mullis, Jr.H. Frederick Mullis Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
WallSarah Wall ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.4% ApprovedA

### 9th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Ninth Superior Court has elections in the Appalachian, Bell-Forsyth, Blue Ridge, Enotah, Gwinnett, Mountain, and Northeastern judicial circuits.

#### Appalachian Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

MercierAmanda Mercier ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% ApprovedA
WeaverBrenda S. Weaver A| Yes| | 99.3% ApprovedA
Sneed, Jr.Robert A. Sneed, Jr. | No| | 34.6% D
BradleyRoger E. Bradley ApprovedA| Yes| | 65.4% ApprovedA

#### Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

DickinsonDavid L. Dickinson (Georgia) ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

#### Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Cannon, Jr.David Lee Cannon, Jr. ApprovedA| No| | 63% ApprovedA
McElyeaEllen McElyea ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% ApprovedA
Shriver, IVMark O. Shriver, IV | No| | 36.8% DefeatedD

#### Enotah Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

MillerMurphy C. Miller ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% A

#### Gwinnett Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

McClurgChris McClurg | No| | 13.6% DefeatedD
SextonGiles Sexton | No| | 4.7% DefeatedD
BeyersKaren Beyers ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
SchraderKathy Schrader ApprovedA| No| 43.5%| 69.83% ApprovedA
ConnerMelodie Snell Conner ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
ClarkMichael C. Clark ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA
Walker, Jr.Robert D. Walker, Jr. | No| | 17.5% D
BatchelorRonnie K. Batchelor ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.5% ApprovedA
BlasiTracey Mason Blasi | No| 20.4%| 30.17% DefeatedD
DavisWarren P. Davis ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

#### Mountain Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

CaudellChan Caudell ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

#### Northeastern Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

OliverBonnie Chessher Oliver ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
GosselinKathlene F. Gosselin ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% A

### 10th Superior Court District of Georgia[edit]

The Georgia Tenth Superior Court has elections in the Alcovy, Augusta, Northern, Piedmont, Toombs, and Western judicial circuits.

#### Alcovy Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

BentonEugene M. Benton ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
Johnson, Jr.Horace Johnson, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
OttJohn M. Ott ApprovedA| Yes| | 60.7% ApprovedA
OzburnSamuel Ozburn ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
LindseyStephanie R. Lindsey | No| | 39.2% DefeatedD
WynneW. Kendall Wynne Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% A

#### Augusta Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

Brown, Jr.Carl C. Brown Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
CraigDaniel J. Craig ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
OverstreetJ. Carlisle Overstreet ApprovedA| Yes| | 74% ApprovedA
AnnisMichael N. Annis ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
JollySheryl B. Jolly ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
SaundersWillie Saunders | No| | 25.9% D

#### Northern Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

MalcomJeffery Malcom ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
Bailey, Jr.John H. Bailey, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
HodgesThomas L. Hodges ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA

#### Piedmont Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

MingledorffCurrie Mingledorff ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
MotesDavid Motes ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% ApprovedA
BoothJoseph H. Booth ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.8% A

#### Toombs Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

HinesleyHarold A. Hinesley ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
Dunaway, Jr.Roger W. Dunaway, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.6% ApprovedA

#### Western Judicial Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

HaggardH. Patrick Haggard ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA
StephensLawton E. Stephens ApprovedA| Yes| | 99.7% ApprovedA

## State Courts[edit]

See Georgia judicial elections, 2012

## In the News[edit]

### Georgia primary election runoff results[edit]

As featured in JP Election Brief: High court races setting the tone on August 23, 2012.

With the primary runoff now over, all voting for Georgia judges in 2012 has concluded. This year, Georgia judicial elections took place during the general primary on July 31st, with a runoff election August 21; no judgeships will be up for election on November 6.

One race, which was too close to call in the days after the July 31 election, was closely decided and did not warrant a runoff race. Jon F. Helton narrowly defeated Harold D. McLendon in the race for a seat on the Dublin Judicial Circuit. Only 50 votes separated the two candidates when all were tallied. Helton received 50.14 percent of the vote, while McLendon received 49.83%.[3]

The race for Gwinnett Judicial Circuit was finally decided Tuesday, after Tracey Mason Blasi and Kathy Schrader faced one another in the runoff. The race for the vacancy created by the retirement of K. Dawson Jackson originally had five candidates, and the top two vote earners in the July 31 election moved on. In that race, Schrader received 43.54 percent and Blasi received 20.39%. Schrader was successful in the runoff, receiving 69.83 percent of the vote to Blasi's 30.17%.[4]

### Georgia judicial elections nearly complete[edit]

As featured in JP Election Brief: Results from Texas and Georgia (and more!) on August 2, 2012.

This year, judges in Georgia will not compete in the November 6 general election. Instead, final judicial elections took place on July 31, during the general primary for other elected positions in the state. Judicial races that were not decided in the July 31st election will go to a runoff election on August 21st. The races for Superior Court judgeships saw the most contention.

Two races were closely decided:

In the race for a seat on the Coweta Judicial Circuit, Emory Palmer narrowly defeated Kevin McMurry. Palmer received just 50.77 percent of the vote, while McMurry received 49.11%; roughly .12 percent of votes cast were write-ins.[5]

In one of the races in the Cobb Judicial Circuit Greg Poole closely avoided the need for a primary runoff by achieving 51.28 percent of the vote.[5] Poole had faced two other challengers, Van Pearlberg and Roland R. Castellanos, in the race to fill the upcoming vacancy created by the retirement of Dorothy A. Robinson.

One is too close to call:

The race between incumbent Jon F. Helton and challenger Harold D. McLendon for a seat on the Dublin Judicial Circuit will be the most closely decided race, but it cannot yet be called. Currently, Helton is reported to have 50.14 percent of the votes, while McLendon has 49.82%. Only 53 votes separate the two.[5]

One is headed to a runoff:

One race is headed to a runoff. The race for the vacancy created by the retirement of K. Dawson Jackson on the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit had five candidates, making it very difficult for one person to achieve the necessary vote percentage (50 percent +1 vote). The top two vote earners in the race, Kathy Schrader with 43.54 percent and Tracey Mason Blasi with 20.39%, will now compete in the August 21 runoff.

### Shake-ups in Georgia Superior Court races[edit]

As featured in JP Election Brief: An indictment, legal challenges, and First Amendment questions on July 19, 2012.

The July 31 Georgia judicial election is fast approaching, and two races for Superior Court seats are seeing some shake-ups.

Georgia's primary election is July 31. Check Georgia judicial elections, 2012 for information about the candidates! |  File:Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg

|

In the Tenth Superior Court District, Northern Judicial Circuit, incumbent Thomas L. Hodges will now be running unopposed for re-election, as challenger Chris NeSmith has exited the race.[6] NeSmith pulled out of the race due to tax issues. NeSmith still owes taxes for 2007 and 2010, and though he is making payments toward the back taxes, his continued candidacy became untenable due to complaint filed by Hodges' supporters, which then lead to a ruling from an Atlanta Administrative Court judge that he was ineligible to run.[6] Though NeSmith initially said he expected the Georgia Secretary of State to overturn the ruling, he subsequently chose to exit the race.

The Fourth Superior Court District, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, is also seeing some excitement. Candidate Michael Rothenberg, who is challenging Chief Judge Gail C. Flake, was indicted on theft charges on July 17th.[7] The indictment alleges that Rothenberg diverted more than $400,000 from his investment firm, Four Five LLC, toward personal expenditures, "including meals, massages and campaign finances."[7] Rothenberg has said that he is speaking with representatives to determine next steps. DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James has said that the investigation has been ongoing, and that the timing of the changes have no relation to the election. A warrant will be issued for Rothenberg, and he will have the option to turn himself in.[7]

### Coweta Judicial Circuit race[edit]

As featured in JP Election Brief: Changing the rules in Florida and Nevada (and more!) on April 19, 2012.

The race between Kevin McMurry and Emory Palmer for a seat on the Coweta Judicial Circuit is heating up. Both men are respected area trial lawyers, and both have now lined up endorsements from prominent Carroll County attorneys.[8] Carrolton criminal defense attorney Jason Swindle and District Attorney Pete Skandalakis have endorsed McMurry. Carrollton attorney Tommy Greer is backing Palmer.[8]

The men are vying to replace longtime judge Allen B. Keeble, who is retiring in December 2012 at the end of his current term. The race for this seat is a special, nonpartisan race, which will be present on both the Democratic and Republican tickets in the July 31, 2012 primary election.[8]

### Georgia election season heating up[edit]

As featured in JP Election Brief: Judicial primaries and candidates gearing up on April 5, 2012.

The election year is heating up in Georgia! Though the 2012 election will not take place until July 31, news coverage on elections has picked up and promises to be on the increase in the coming weeks. Candidates have also started announcing in advance of the May 25 filing deadline.

Two opinion pieces on elections have appeared in two separate Georgia newspapers in the last week, and more are certain to come as campaigning kicks up.[9][10] Both articles focus on Georgia politics at the state level, and the need to focus in attention on the local political happenings, despite the glitz and glamor of the presidential election. At Judgepedia this is exactly what we do! You can get coverage of state and local judicial elections and appointments and brush-up on local and state judicial structure.

### Election date debate in Georgia[edit]

As featured in JP Election Brief: Three in the midwest and two in the south on March 8, 2012.

Augusta, Georgia: Augusta officials have been fighting the new date of elections since the passing of House Bill 158 last year, which moved elections from November to July, the previous date of the Georgia general primary.[11][12] Their fight, however, seems to be coming to an end. Augusta officials' opposition to the change in dates is based on a loophole that allowed them to keep their elections in November, even as the rest of the state was moving to a July election. A bill, introduced by Barbara Sims, would close this loophole and force the movement of the election date.[12] The bill has already passed the house, and is expected to pass the senate as well.[12]

Officials in Augusta against the move argue that the July date will favor Republicans and decrease black voting power, but those assertions have not been accepted by those in favor of the July date.[12]

## See also[edit]

* Georgia judicial elections
* News: Supreme Weekly: Election fever - Races in Alabama, Oregon and Georgia, November 3, 2011

## External links[edit]

* Neighbor Newspapers, "2012 Georgia Judicial Elections big," June 1, 2011
* The Florida Times-Union, "Analysis: Georgia judicial elections promise fireworks," June 6, 2011
* Cherokee Tribune, "Judge Gober will not seek re-election," July 26, 2011
* Georgia Secretary of State, Elections Division, Office to be Filled at the November 6, 2012 General Election

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Neighbor Newspapers, "2012 Georgia Judicial Elections big," June 1, 2011
2. ↑ Politics1, Online Guide to Georgia Politics
3. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "July 31, 2012 primary results
4. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "August 21, 2012 primary runoff results
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Georgia Secretary of State, "General Primary/General Nonpartisan/Special Election," accessed August 1, 2012
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Independent Mail, "NeSmith withdraws from Georgia judge's race," July 16, 2012
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "DeKalb judicial candidate indicted on theft charges," July 17, 2012
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Times-Georgian, "2 attorneys running for judge's seat," April 15, 2012 (dead link)
9. ↑ Athens Banner-Herald, “Garland: Ethics should be focus of election season,” March 31, 2012
10. ↑ Savannah Morning News, “Political Notes: Chatham County politics likely will focus inward for rest of year,” April 1, 2012
11. ↑ The Augusta Chronicles, "Move fails to reverse Augusta election date," February 27, 2012
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 The Augusta Chronicle, "Augusta statistics show that July elections could favor Republicans," March 4, 2012

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