Most Ga. Judges Face No Challenge in May Elections

Political Law attorney Robert Highsmith Jr. spoke with Law360 about the upcoming judicial elections in Georgia. Only 11 percent of Georgia trial and appellate court judges running to maintain their seat in the state's judicial elections are facing a challenge, showing the kind of incumbent retention that experts say is the norm for the Peach State. There are 132 judicial positions in the Georgia state trial and appellate courts being voted for on May 24, nine of which have no incumbent judge. As the longest-serving member of the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission, Mr. Highsmith shared his insights.

"There's such broad input and broad acceptance of the legitimacy of that process that that's why you don't see a lot of contested judicial elections," he said. "Most of the members of the bar have confidence in that process."

READ: Most Ga. Judges Face No Challenge in May Elections (Subscription required)