Clayton County voters head into Tuesday's election having to contend with the death of two incumbents whose names will appear on the ballots in two municipal races.
Longtime Forest Park councilman Donald Judson, who was up for re-election, died suddenly Friday (Nov. 4). He was 80. Judson's death is the second death of a Clayton County candidate in less than a month. Sixty-two-year-old Riverdale councilman Wayne Hall, who was also up for re-election, was found dead at his home Oct. 25. There was no indication of foul play.
Judson's death creates a second vacancy on the six-member Forest Park council. The council ousted Karen-Brandee Williams in July for ethics violations. Her seat remains open.
The deaths are just the latest in a series of unfortunate turns marring this year's southside elections. Lovejoy Mayor Joe Murphy recently resigned rather than face the threat of an investigation by the Clayton District Attorney's office into possible voter fraud. Morrow mayoral candidate J.B. Burke was seriously injured in a car accident last month. He is recuperating but remains in the race.
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