Politics
Politics

Qualifying opens in Georgia to replace GOP state Sen. Charlie Bethel

By Kristina Torres
Nov 15, 2016

Qualifying began this morning at the Georgia Secretary of State's Office in Atlanta to replace state Sen. Charlie Bethel, R-Dalton.

Bethel, 40, won reelection to the state Legislature last Tuesday. A day later, Gov. Nathan Deal announced his appointment to the Georgia Court of Appeals, effective Jan. 1.

Bethel, an attorney who served as chairman of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee, then resigned Friday, ending a six-year legislative career during which he served as Deal’s floor leader in the Senate chamber.

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has called a Dec. 13 special election to fill Bethel’s former seat, which includes parts or all of Gordon, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties in north Georgia.

Eligible candidates have until 2 p.m. Thursday to sign up.

About the Author

Kristina Torres
More Stories

Keep Reading

In addition to being a political and religious leader, Bishop Reginald Jackson also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Morris Brown College. (Ben Gray/AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray

OBITUARY

AME Bishop Reginald Jackson, religious and political leader, dies at 71

Jackson served for eight years as head of 500 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Georgia.

Georgia dismisses Trump election case, ending his last criminal prosecution

Fulton DA Fani Willis launched the investigation nearly five years ago saying Trump and his allies conspired to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

Fulton County taxpayers could be on the hook for millions as Trump case ends

Fulton County taxpayers may need to pay millions of dollars in legal defense bills for Donald Trump and others charged in the now defunct election interference case.

The Latest

“This case is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” a Superior Court judge ruled in Georgia's election case against President Donald Trump. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Georgia dismisses Trump election case, ending his last criminal prosecution

Fulton County taxpayers could be on the hook for millions as Trump case ends

OBITUARY

AME Bishop Reginald Jackson, religious and political leader, dies at 71

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff

Atlanta antique appraiser made $20M selling fakes, lawsuit says

An Atlanta art and antique appraiser is being sued by a Florida multimillionaire, who says he spent about $20 million on thousands of fake works.

How an ex-Texan and a university helped change the face of a Georgia city

Mercer University President Bill Underwood is stepping down after two decades at the helm. He's credited with boosting enrollment, resurrecting football and reshaping Macon.

Thanksgiving to bring chilly, dry, overall delightful weather to metro Atlanta

A big drop in temperatures is coming overnight Wednesday, so go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.