Paulding judicial candidate withdraws from race

A Paulding County judicial candidate withdrew her candidacy Monday after trying to step into her father’s judgeship.

Elizabeth Osborne Williams was running unopposed but critics had lambasted her and her father, Superior Court Judge James Osborne, for appearing to rig the election so she would have no competition.

Judge Osborne had filed for re-election and was running unopposed since many lawyers won’t challenge an incumbent judge. He then withdrew shortly before the March 7 qualifying deadline and Williams filed as the sole candidate.