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.

The commission overseeing judicial conduct agreed not to investigate Osborne and Williams for possible ethical violations if both withdrew, said Cartersville lawyer Lester Tate, vice-chair of the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission.

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