Athens lawyer and former Rep. John Barrow, D-Georgia, is a veteran campaigner. He served 14 years on the Athens-Clarke County Commission before being elected to Congress from his home district. And he was the Democratic runner-up for Georgia secretary of state last year.

Barrow and Georgia Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Sara Doyle are already campaigning for election in May 2020 for the seat that will be opened by Justice Robert Benham’s planned retirement in December. More candidates may come before the qualifying period next spring.