Alcovy Circuit Superior Court Judge Horace Johnson Jr. said Tuesday he is running for the job Justice Robert Benham will leave open next year on the Georgia Supreme Court.

Johnson's candidacy has been widely discussed, but until now he has said he was seriously considering running but wasn't ready to announce. He becomes the only African American thus far in the race to succeed Benham. Benham's departure will leave only one African American on the nine member court—Chief Justice Harold Melton.

Benham is the longest-serving member and the first African American on the high court. He has said he plans to retire when his current term expires at the end of 2020—before he reaches the state's effective mandatory retirement age of 75.

Former state Rep. Beth Beskin, R-Atlanta, announced in September that she had resigned her job at the state law department to run for the open seat.

Beskin joined two other announced candidates for the job: Georgia Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Sara Doyle and former U.S. Rep. John Barrow.

Johnson's announcement Tuesday came from Fred Hicks, a prominent African American political strategist who identifies himself as nonpartisan.

Johnson, a graduate of Emory University and the University of Georgia School of Law, has presided over Walton and Newton County superior courts for 17 years. He practiced law privately for 20 years before that, starting a solo shop and then forming a firm. He served as president of the Council of Superior Court Judges in 2016, the first African American elected to lead the statewide group. He was awarded the State Bar of Georgia's Chief Justice Commission on Professionalism Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

The campaign will be led by former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Larry D. Thompson, also a former Pepsico general counsel and now the John A. Sibley Professor in Corporate and Business Law at UGA Law.

"Judge Johnson is exactly what every Georgian should expect from a judge at any level, but especially at our state Supreme Court—fair, experienced, compassionate, in love with the law and determined to get to the right decision. I am proud to chair this campaign and work to get him elected," Thompson said in the announcement.

In explaining his decision, Johnson said, "Experience matters. I understand the challenges facing litigants in the trial court both from the perspective of an attorney practicing in those courts and also as a trial judge dedicated to following the law and treating all parties fairly. I believe Georgians want a Supreme Court justice who understands these perspectives when reviewing the difficult decisions that are often made by trial judges. That is why I am running."

Johnson said last month it was a difficult decision for him, as he has been a trial judge since 2002—first appointed by former Gov. Roy Barnes, the most recent Democrat to lead the state. Johnson has launched and led accountability courts for veterans and for parents behind on child support—achieving success with both, including an increase in parental support, visitation and legitimation procedures. Since his current terms expires at the end of 2020, he would have to give up his own seat to run for Benham's.

But Johnson said he is inspired by "Justice Benham's great legacy."

For a profile in June, the Daily Report asked Johnson about his mentors. He said he had been blessed with great ones. He named Benham.

Benham was appointed by fellow Cartersville resident Gov. Joe Frank Harris in December 1989, becoming the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court in its more than 140 years. On July 17, 1990, he won statewide election to a full term on the Supreme Court. He served as chief justice from 1995-2001, elected by his peers. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Benham served on the Georgia Court of Appeals for five years.

"From his initial elevation to the bench, I cannot recall when he did not extend himself to nurture and encourage young lawyers and aspiring jurists," Johnson said of Benham. "A genuinely humble man, he has always espoused adherence to fundamental principles that should be obvious, but which are too often ignored to one's ultimate detriment. Preparation and tenacity are basic tenets. When coupled with a constant awareness that being a pioneer carries added responsibilities, there was a path to and through any road chosen. I will always be grateful for his living example as I seek to pass those lessons experienced on to that next generation forever in pursuit of justice for all."

The nonpartisan election will be held with the primaries on May 19, 2020.