Governor Deal Updates Membership of the Judicial Nominating Commission

Earlier this week, Govenor Nathan Deal issued an executive order recreating the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission. The commission assists the governor by making recommendations on qualified candidates to fill vacancies in the courts. The executive order reduces the number of members if the commission from 25 to 20. The new commission will continue to be led by co-chairs Randy Evans and Pete Robinson. New members included Stacey Abrams, Peter Carter, and Chuck Efstration.

The commission will have their work cut out for them. Legislation passed earlier this year will add two new justices to the Georgia Supreme Court, and earlier this week, Chief Justice Hugh Thompson announced he will leave the court in January. In the Court of Appeals, Presiding Judge Herbert Phipps will face mandatory retirement in December, creating another opening on the bench.