Presidential endorsements are coming in for non-partisan race in GA

Georgia is preparing for election day, and one non-partisan race that may have slipped under the radar may turn out to be one of the most consequential in the state.

Georgia voters are casting ballots for the seats of three state Supreme Court justices, a position that does not include any party identifier or public political affiliation.

That hasn't stopped big names in politics from voicing their support for two attorneys hoping to push out incumbent judges.

While the races are technically on the primary ballot, because they are non-partisan this is the only election for these seats and the winner will be decided Tuesday, May 19.

Who is in the Georgia Supreme Court race?

Georgia Supreme Court justices serve six-year terms, and there are no term limits on the seats. There are three seats open in this election.

Miracle Rankin is running against incumbent Charlie Bethel, Jen Jordan is running against incumbent Sarah Hawkins Warren, and Ben Land is running unopposed for another term.

Bethel and Warren were both appointed to the court by former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal in 2018 and were reelected to a full term in 2020. Bethel was also previously a GOP state senator before being appointed to the bench.

Rankin and Jordan have both accused the current justices of politicizing the court, and moving the bench to the right in their decision-making over the state's six-week abortion ban and State Election Board oversight and power, among other issues. The two challengers are left-leaning and vocal about trying to balance the state Supreme Court ideologically.

The court currently stands at a 9-0 conservative majority, but if Rankin and Jordan were to claim seats, the state could see a 5-4 conservative lead as soon as 2028, according to some predictions.

But, an incumbent Georgia Supreme Court justice hasn't lost their reelection campaign since 1922 as the races have rarely garnered much attention or competition.

Presidential endorsements for challengers

Rankin and Jordan's efforts have earned some major endorsements from Democrats.

"State supreme court justices play a critical role in defending your rights and freedoms, which is why the election happening in Georgia right now is so important," former president Barack Obama said in a May 7 Facebook post. "Make sure you have a plan to vote for Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin, the only two candidates in the race with strong records of standing up for all Georgians."

In response to the endorsement, Rankin said "words cannot express what this ... means."

"I remember phone banking, driving people to the polls, collecting every newspaper that chronicled President Obama's historic race, crying when the results came through," Rankin said. "I am grateful and welcome the opportunity to serve Georgians on our highest court!"

Jordan also thanked Obama and called the state supreme courts a "last line of defense against attacks on our rights."

Obama's message was backed by former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in a video posted on social media.

"It's going to be about who is going to maintain and protect your rights and your freedoms, who's going to stand for the rule of law. And there are two candidates who are extraordinary: Miracle Rankin and Jen Jordan," Harris said. "And I urge you to please go to the polls and support them in their election to be on the Georgia Supreme Court."

When is the Georgia Supreme Court election?

Election day in Georgia is Tuesday, May 19. The state supreme court seats will be on the primary ballot, and the races will be decided on primary day instead of in November during the general midterm.

To see if you are registered to vote, your polling location and more, visit the My Voter Page from the Georgia Secretary of State's office.

Irene Wright covers midterm races in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].