The state House voted 110-56 to make Fulton County’s chief magistrate judge an elected office, rather than appointed by the State Court judges. A Democratic lawmaker said it’s a move to put a Republican in the seat.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, said the change was recommended by a special task force that examined Fulton’s court system last year. But Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta, questioned why the bill has the governor making the first four-year appointment, rather than starting with an election. That would likely oust Chief Magistrate Judge Stephanie Davis and give her successor the advantage of incumbency when the first election is held, Bruce told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Willard said the governor could appoint anyone, including Davis.
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