[caption id="attachment_99499" align="alignnone" width="767"] (Credit: Alexandru Nika/Shutterstock.com)[/caption] Seven judicial races are set to be decided by special elections on Nov. 8. Four of them are contested probate or magistrate court races in Appling, Polk, Rabun and Talbot counties. The three remaining judicial elections involve unopposed campaigns by incumbent judges of the Douglas County Magistrate, Jones County Probate and Richmond County Civil and Magistrate courts. In the weeks leading to the Nov. 8 general election, the Daily Report will publish articles highlighting the judicial candidates and their campaigns. In the meantime, scroll through this slideshow to meet the candidates.

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Slideshow: Meet the Candidates

 

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Contested Races

Appling County Probate Court

In Southeast Georgia's Appling County, evidence custodian Emily Hardwick of Baxley has challenged interim incumbent Probate Court Judge Gretchen Johnson Bailey. Bailey assumed the bench in July following the resignation of former Probate Judge Diane Hallman, who'd served 45 years with the court. Bailey said she spent 15 of those years working under Hallman's lead. Upon becoming interim judge, Bailey issued a statement saying she'd only fulfill the position until the Nov. 8 special nonpartisan election but has since sought voters' support via a Facebook post. [caption id="attachment_99614" align="alignright" width="300"] (L-R) interim Judge Gretchen Johnson Bailey and Emily Hardwick of Baxley, Georgia. (Courtesy photos)[/caption] "Enjoying what you do is paramount to achieving the highest level of service. I enjoy helping those who come to our court," Bailey told the Daily Report. "I have worked in the Probate Court for almost 16 years and have learned all aspects within our everyday activities. My experience with probate law stands proof that I have the knowledge needed to continue to give our citizens the kind of service they have come to know and trust." Like Bailey, Hardwick is no stranger to the county. After spending more than a decade as a victim's advocate with the Appling County District Attorney's Office, Hardwick joined the Appling County Sherrif's Office in February 2021. "It is my sincere wish to be the one to serve this great county as the next Probate judge-elect," Hardwick posted to her campaign Facebook account. "I would deeply appreciate all of your support as the position will now be on the November ballot. I truly feel my 15 years of service as a victim advocate with the District Attorney's Office, and my time spent working with the Appling County Sheriff's Office have given me the knowledge and relationships to be an asset to the people of this county."  

Polk County Probate Court

Northwest in Polk County, incumbent Probate Judge Shayne Green has garnered two challengers for her interim seat on the bench. Cedartown attorney Robert "Bobby" Brooks and Polk County Deputy Sheriff Charles Michael Sullivan qualified alongside Green in August for the nonpartisan judicial race. Green assumed the role in July after former Probate Judge Tony Brazier resigned amid a judicial misconduct investigation. Prior to taking over for Brazier, Green served as an associate judge following a February appointment. She's been with the probate court for more than a decade, and has six years' experience as a senior traffic clerk. "Our office has been through a lot over the last few years, and my goal is to get things back to where they need to be," Green told the Daily Report. She said she had a breadth of knowledge regarding the court, but would not let pride get in the way of her asking questions if faced with a new challenge. [caption id="attachment_99616" align="alignright" width="300"] Shayne Green (from left), Robert "Bobby" Brooks and Mike Sullivan. (Courtesy photos)[/caption] "I am very passionate about serving the people of Polk County," Green posted to her campaign Facebook account. "I believe knowledge and experience [are] key in this position." Brooks is a former Polk district attorney who's been a licensed jurist with the State Bar of Georgia since 1996. He ran for probate judge against Brazier in 2020 but got edged out in the primary election with 47.81% of the vote. "As an attorney, I have practiced in Probate Courts around the state for over 25 years," Brooks posted to his campaign Facebook account. "I have previously served as judge pro tem in the Polk County Probate Court. I have also had the honor of serving Polk County in other judicial capacities such as municipal judge and magistrate judge. If elected, I pledge to bring a high level of competence, professionalism and integrity to the Probate Office." Sullivan has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience and has served in leadership positions at the Polk Sheriff's Office. He ran for sheriff in 2012 but lost to current Sheriff Johnny Moats. Moats and former Sheriff Bobby Spark have since endorsed Sullivan as a candidate for Polk probate judge. "This is a honor for me to seek your approval and vote for probate judge," Sullivan posted on his campaign Facebook account. "I look forward to seeing all of you in the next few weeks." Following the special Nov. 8 election and certification of results, the victor will be immediately sworn in as Polk Probate Court judge, the Polk County Standard Journal reported. However, if none of the candidates earns the majority, or 50% plus one, of the total vote needed to become the next Polk Probate judge, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to a runoff election on Dec. 6.  

Rabun County Magistrate Court

In the most northeastern portion of Georgia, Rabun County Magistrate Judge Albert O. English is not seeking reelection. Now two candidates are vying for his soon-to-be vacated seat on the bench. James V. Blalock of Tiger, Georgia ran unopposed in the May 24 primary election but has garnered a write-in challenger. [caption id="attachment_99677" align="alignright" width="200"] Kyle Shook, Rabun County Magistrate Court Candidate. Courtesy photo.[/caption] Rabun County Elections & Voter Registration Director Tammy Whitmire told the Daily Report candidate Kyle Shook will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot as Blalock's contender. Shook spent more than 17 years with the Rabun County Sheriff's Office before retiring as a lieutenant criminal investigator in 2020. Since then, he's run his own photography company and handled contractor sales for a hardware provider. Since announcing his decision to run in March, Shook has focused his campaign on educating voters about the write-in process. "Underneath 'magistrate judge' you will see James V. Blalock and then a box beside 'Write-in Candidate.' Once you click 'Write-in Candidate' you will then type 'Kyle Shook.' It is that easy," Shook posted to his campaign Facebook account. "Please help me spread the word, every single vote counts! Thanks to all of Rabun County for your support, and I look forward to serving you as the next magistrate judge of Rabun County."  

Talbot County Magistrate and Probate Court

In west Georgia, Talbot County interim Magistrate and Probate Judge Shatara Powell is campaigning as an independent candidate in hopes of making her seat on the bench official. Powell became the interim judge following the sudden death of former Judge Sherrell Terry in January. [caption id="attachment_99618" align="alignright" width="300"] Incumbent Interim Talbot County Magistrate/Probate Judge Shatara Powell (left) and Challenger Trenda Hobbs Thomas, an Aflac business operations supervisor. (Courtesy photos)[/caption] "I have worked in the Probate/Magistrate office for 13 years, and I have taken great pride in serving the Talbot County community," Powell posted to her campaign Facebook account. "If selected as your Judge, I will continue the mission of my predecessors who were before me, and will lead the community through honor, integrity and respect." But Powell must face off against two challengers come Nov. 8. Aflac operations supervisor Trenda Hobbs Thomas qualified for the race back in March. During the May 24 primary election, Thomas beat Andrew Hall and Roger C. Montgomery, but with only 36.44% of the vote. She warded off Hall with 54.82% of the vote in a subsequent June 21 runoff election to become the Nov. 8 Democratic candidate for Talbot County probate judge. "As a Flint Hill native and lifelong resident of Talbot County, there would be no greater honor than to serve a community that has given me a strong foundation for a lifetime of success," Thomas posted to her campaign Facebook account. "I will serve the people wholeheartedly, listen, communicate effectively, maintain impartiality, stay well-balanced, and be open-minded while upholding the law to the highest degree." Meanwhile, Talbot County Building and Zoning member Brian Kempson's name will also appear on the Nov. 8 ballot as an independent candidate, according to Talbot County Board of Elections and Registration Chairperson Sharita Trice.  

Uncontested Races

[caption id="attachment_99619" align="alignright" width="200"] Chief Judge Carletta Sims Brown. (Courtesy photo)[/caption] Of the seven judicial races to be decided by voters on Nov. 8, three involve incumbents facing no opposition. In central Georgia, interim Jones County Probate Judge Lewis Patterson is running unopposed to solidify his spot on the bench. Patterson assumed the role following the March 31 resignation of Judge Mike Greene, a local newspaper reported. Patterson also serves as judge for the Gray Municipal Court. Meanwhile, in eastern Georgia's Richmond County, Judge Carletta Sims Brown is running unopposed to retain her judgeship on the civil and magistrate courts. Finally, one contested race between incumbent Republican Douglas County Chief Magistrate Judge Susan S. Camp and prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney Ryan C. Williams, a Democrat, is now unopposed after Williams was disqualified as a candidate. In September the Supreme Court of Georgia issued an opinion reversing a Douglas County Superior Court order that enabled Williams to remain on the Nov. 8 general election ballot as a substitute Democratic challenger to Camp. Camp's husband, Douglasville attorney Scott K. Camp, brought a qualifications challenge against Williams. After determining qualifications referred to in a Georgia statute "included all of the prerequisites for seeking and holding office," the high court ruled Williams had failed to "properly qualify to seek office" and the Douglas County Board of Elections and Registration "lacked authority to put him on the ballot." In April, Williams replaced disqualified Democratic candidate Sylvia Wayfer Baker after Camp challenged the legality of her candidacy. In her March 14 motion to disqualify Baker, Camp argued her opponent didn't meet the statutory requirements to run for chief magistrate because Baker hadn't been a member of the State Bar of Georgia for at least three years, as required by a 1984 local law. But after an evidentiary hearing about two weeks later, the Board of Elections and Registration disagreed and denied Camp's motion. On appeal before the Douglas Superior Court, Camp succeeded when Rome Judicial Circuit Senior Judge Walter Matthews reversed the election board's denial, finding the board had erred. Williams picked up where Baker left off, challenging the sole Republican holding a countywide office. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article identified attorney James Blalock of Cartersville as a candidate in the Rabun County Magistrate Court race set for Nov. 8, rather than James Blalock of Tiger, Georgia. This article was updated at 12:55 p.m. Nov. 7 with updated information on the Douglas County Magistrate Court judge election.