(The Center Square) — Supreme Court of Georgia Justice Andrew Pinson won reelection to the state’s highest court on Tuesday, fending off a challenge from a former Democratic congressman.
Athens attorney and former U.S. Rep. John Barrow challenged Pinson, making reproductive rights the centerpiece of his campaign.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr, both Republicans, backed Pinson in the nonpartisan race. Kemp appointed Pinson to the post in February 2022.
Justices Michael Boggs, John Ellington and Nels Peterson ran unopposed for reelection to the state’s highest court.
Meanwhile, Jeff Davis and Tabitha Ponder are vying to win a nonpartisan seat on the Court of Appeals of Georgia. The winner succeeds M. Yvette Miller, who was initially appointed to the post by former Gov. Roy Barnes and is retiring.
Stephen Dillard, Ken Hodges, Ben Land, Amanda H. Mercier, Brian M. Rickman and Jeffrey A. Watkins ran unopposed for reelection to their Court of Appeals of Georgia seats.
In the Democratic primary for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath emerged victorious, knocking off a pair of challengers — state Rep. Mandisha Thomas, D-South Fulton, and Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson. McBath represented the district from 2019 to 2023 and the 7th Congressional District since 2023 but again switched districts following new maps state lawmakers passed last year.
She faces Republican Jeff Criswell in November.
In a closely watched race in Fulton County, embattled District Attorney Fani Willis survived a challenge from Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic primary. Willis will face off against Republican Courtney Kramer, who ran unopposed on Tuesday, in November’s election.
Additionally, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others, won reelection, knocking off Robert Hillard Patillo II.
By T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor
