Replacing Retired Judge James Blanchard Jr.
Rep. Barry Fleming, representing Harlem, has been appointed as a superior court judge in Columbia County, Georgia. This appointment comes after the retirement of Judge James Blanchard Jr. Fleming, who lost a recent race for House speaker, will be sworn in on January 10th.
Special Election to Follow
Following Fleming’s appointment as a judge, Governor Kemp must call for a special election within 10 days. This election is required to occur between 30 to 60 days after the call. Judges are chosen by Governor Kemp from lists of candidates prepared by the Judicial Nominating Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor.
A Controversial Figure
Fleming is a well-known figure in recent years for leading the committee that authored a new election law in 2021. This law imposed restrictions on voting by mail and granted greater control over election procedures. However, Fleming lost his chairmanship after an unsuccessful run for whip in 2021. He was seen as a more right-wing alternative to Jon Burns and House Speaker David Ralston.
His law practice, which has represented municipalities and counties around Augusta, faced protests following the enactment of the 2021 election law.
Past Achievements and District Coverage
Fleming previously served as whip starting in 2004, when Republicans took control of the chamber for the first time in over a century. Among his notable achievements during that time was the passing of a law requiring voters to show photo identification. Fleming temporarily stepped down in 2008 to run an unsuccessful congressional race but was reelected to the state House in 2012.
The 125th House District that Fleming represents includes parts of Columbia and McDuffie counties.
Other Judicial Appointments
In addition to Fleming’s appointment, Governor Kemp named Alison Sosebee as a superior court judge for Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens counties in Georgia’s Appalachian Judicial Circuit. Sosebee has been the district attorney in that circuit since 2013 and will replace the late Judge John Worcester.
Mark Hendrix, solicitor general in Liberty County, was also appointed to a newly created judgeship in the coastal Atlantic Circuit. This circuit covers Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Tattnall counties.