Magnifying glass over silhouette of potential job candidates. Credit: svetazi/Adobe Stock (Credit: svetazi/Adobe Stock)
Election season kicked off Monday morning in Georgia with the start of candidate qualifying at county election board offices statewide. Jurists seeking to retain their judgeships must qualify to run for reelection before the qualifying period concludes at noon on Friday, March 8. However, at least one has already announced plans to step down from the bench. |

'The Only African American'

Throughout and surrounding metro Atlanta, dozens of judges are up for reelection in the May 21, 2024, nonpartisan primary election. In Fulton County alone, 27 jurists might face challengers for their terms that are set to expire Dec. 31. Meanwhile, in surrounding Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas and Gwinnett counties, at least 50 judges must also decide whether to campaign to retain their judgeships.

|

PHOTOS: Dozens of Georgia Judges Are Up for Reelection

Presiding Judge M. Yvette Miller, Georgia Court of Appeals. (Courtesy photo)
Georgia Court of Appeals Presiding Judge M. Yvette Miller is one of seven intermediate appellate judges whose term expires Dec. 31. But unlike her colleagues, Miller will not be seeking reelection. On March 2, Miller's colleagues announced the jurist's intent to retire from the appellate bench after 25 years of service. "My dear friend and mentor, Presiding Judge Yvette Miller, has decided to retire at the end of this year after decades of distinguished public service to the people of Georgia," tweeted Presiding Judge Stephen Dilliard on Saturday. "I knew this decision was coming, but it was still hard to hear. I am so thankful for her many years of wisdom, guidance and friendship—as well as the tremendous example she set for all of us at @AppealsCourtGA." Upon being appointed by Gov. Roy Barnes in July of 1999, Miller made judicial history as the first Black woman to serve on the court. She again made history by becoming the first Black woman to serve two years as the court's chief judge in 2009.

Leah Ward Sears, former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice, now partner with Smith Gambrell Russell in Atlanta, GA. October 20, 2021. Photo: Mike Glatzer Leah Ward Sears, former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice, now partner with Smith Gambrell Russell in Atlanta. (Photo: Mike Glatzer)
As word of Miller's departure spreads, the significance of her impending departure isn't going unnoticed. "Judge Yvette Miller has decided to retire from the Georgia Court of Appeals and will not qualify to run for reelection when qualification opens early next week. She is currently the only African American on the 15 member Court of Appeals," shared former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears on Facebook Saturday. "Judge Miller has served our state with honor and dignity since 1999 when she was appointed. She will be missed. Thank you for your service, judge." Miller's decision to retire rather than seek her fourth reelection opens the door for a new candidate, rather than gubernatorial appointee, to ascend to the intermediate appellate bench.  
|

Challenging a Judge: These Jurists' Term in Office Is Expiring Next Year

|

Judges With Expiring Terms

Of the more than four-dozen judgeships up for election, about 25% are held by recently appointed jurists who must now stand for election to remain on the bench. Click through these Daily Report slideshows to see which jurists may soon be challenged for their seat in the May 2024 nonpartisan primary election. Each of the following judges have terms expiring Dec. 31, 2024: |

Supreme Court of Georgia

|
  • Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs
  • Presiding Justice Nels S.D. Peterson
  • Justice John J. Ellington
  • Justice Andrew A. Pinson
|

Georgia Court of Appeals

|
  • Chief Judge Amanda Mercier
  • Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard
  • Presiding Judge M. Yvette Miller
  • Judge Kenneth B. Hodges III
  • Judge Benjamin Land
  • Judge Brian M. Rickman
  • Judge Jeffrey A. Watkins
|

Fulton County Superior Court

|
  • Chief Judge Ural D Glanville
  • Judge Kimberly M. Esmond Adams
  • Judge Rachelle Carnesale
  • Judge Thomas A. Cox Jr.
  • Judge Eric Dunaway
  • Judge Belinda Edwards
  • Judge Melynee Leftridge Harris
  • Judge Shukura L. Ingram
  • Judge Rachel Krause
  • Scott F. McAfee
  • Judge Emily Richardson
  • Judge Shermela J. Williams
|

Fulton County State Court

|
  • Chief Judge Wesley B. Tailor
  • Judge Diane E. Bessen
  • Judge Myra H. Dixon
  • Judge Susan E. Edlein
  • Judge John R. Mather
  • Judge Jane Morrison
  • Judge Patsy Y. Porter
|

Clayton County Superior Court

|
  • Chief Judge Robert L. Mack
  • Judge Shana Rooks Malone
  • Judge Jewel Scott
|

Clayton County State Court

|
  • Judge Shalonda Jones-Parker
  • Judge Sonya J. George
|

Cobb County Superior Court

|
  • Chief Judge A. Greg Poole
  • Judge Angela Brown
  • Judge Kimberly Childs
  • Judge Kellie Hill
  • Judge Jason Marbutt
  • Judge Julie Adams Jacobs
  • Judge Henry R. Thompson
  • Judge Vic Reynolds
|

Cobb County State Court

|
  • Judge Carl Bowers
  • Judge Eric Brewton
  • Judge Maria Golick
  • Judge Marsha Lake
  • Judge Jane Manning
  • Judge John Morgan
  • Judge Allison B. Salter
  • Judge Diana M. Simmons
  • Judge Jaret Usher
|

DeKalb County Superior Court

|
  • Judge Gregory A. Adams
  • Judge Tangela Barrie
  • Judge Stacey K. Hydrick
  • Judge Brian Lake
  • Judge Shondeana C. Morris
  • Judge Nora Polk
  • Judge Yolanda C. Parker-Smith
|

DeKalb County State Court

|
  • Judge Charles E. Bailey
  • Judge Mike Jacobs
  • Judge Ana Maria Martinez
  • Judge Wayne M. Purdom
  • Judge Ron Ramsey
  • Judge Brian K. Ross
  • Judge Kiesha Storey
|

Douglas County Superior Court

|
  • Judge William H. McClain
  • Judge Deah B. Warren
|

Douglas County State Court

|
  • Judge Eddie Barker
  • Judge Brian K. Fortner
|

Gwinnett County Superior Court

|
  • Judge Tamela L. Adkins
  • Judge Deborah R. Fluker
  • Judge Karen E. Beyers
  • Judge Warren Davis
  • Judge Ronnie K. Batchelor
  • Judge Tadia Whitner
|

Gwinnett County State Court

|
  • Judge Emily J. Brantley
  • Judge Shawn F. Bratton
  • Judge Carla E. Brown
  • Judge Veronica Cope
  • Judge Jaletta L. Smith