Gwinnett Judge Races Draw Some Suwanee Candidates

As expected based on candidate announcements and appearances at a recent judicial candidates forum hosted by the Gwinnett Bar Association, a five-way race has developed to fill the Gwinnett Superior Court judgeship being vacated by retiring Judge K. Dawson Jackson.

Tracey Blasi, Chris McClurg, Kathy Schrader, Giles Sexton, and Robert D. Walker qualified to run for the judge’s seat in the July 31 Primary. Most judge elections are nonpartisan. They qualified to run with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.

How do you think the judge races will shake out? Tell us in the comments below.

Blasi, a Lawrenceville attorney, is a former Duluth Municipal Court judge.

McClurg is a Lawrenceville attorney with civil litigation and trial experience.

Schrader, a Duluth attorney and mediator, is a past president of the Gwinnett Bar. She currently serves as an associate Municipal Court judge for the cities of Duluth and Sugar Hill.

Sexton, a Lawrenceville attorney, has experience handling felony criminal cases.

A Lawrenceville resident, Walker is a full time Gwinnett Magistrate Court judge.

Incumbent Gwinnett Circuit Superior Court Judges Ronnie Keith Batchelor, Karen E. Beyers, Michael C. Clark, Melodie Snell Conner, and Warren Davis qualified unopposed.

Five candidates qualified with the Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections Office to replace Gwinnett State Court Judge Robert “Bob” Mock, who is retiring.

They are Emily Brantley of Suwanee, Pam Britt of Lawrenceville, Norman Cuadra of Suwanee, Greg Lundy of Suwanee, and Richard Winegarden of Dacula.

Brantley is an attorney in private practice in Gwinnett County. Also an attorney, Britt is past president of the Gwinnett Criminal Justice Bar. Cuadra, an attorney, is a former Municipal Court judge.

Lundy is a senior staff attorney for Gwinnett County. He previously served as chief Municipal Court judge for the City of Suwanee. Winegarden is a former State and Superior Court judge.

Incumbent State Court Judges Carla E. Brown. John F. Doran and Randy Rich qualified. They have no opposition for re-election.

Qualifying as Republicans for a Gwinnett Probate Court judgeship were Buford attorney Chris Ballar and Marlene Duwell, chief clerk of Gwinnett Probate Court. The vacancy is being created by retiring Judge Walter J. Clarke.

Brian Whiteside, an attorney and former law enforcement officer, qualified to run as a Democrat against incumbent Gwinnett Clerk of Superior Court Richard T. Alexander. A Republican, Alexander served as chief deputy to former Clerk of Court Tom Lawler, who passed away late last year.

Incumbent Chief Magistrate George Hutchinson qualified to run as a Republican without opposition.

Qualifying for office concluded May 25.

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