Georgia Judicial Commission Finds Two Supreme Court Candidates Violated Conduct Rules

The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission determined that two candidates for the state Supreme Court violated judicial conduct rules by publicly endorsing each other and pledging to restore abortion rights if elected. According to a Monday report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the commission's special election committee said it reasonably believes Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin broke the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct.

The code applies to judges and candidates for judicial office.

Jordan and Rankin are running in Tuesday's election to unseat incumbent Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Hawkins Warren. Both incumbents were appointed by former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and won election in 2020. The commission formed a special committee during election years to review allegations of ethical misconduct in judicial campaigns.

A full investigation could follow the preliminary finding.

Jordan and Rankin filed a lawsuit under seal in early May seeking to block the commission from releasing its findings before the election. A federal district court initially sided with them, but the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 ruling that allowed the statements to become public.

The appeals court panel said the public would be harmed by not knowing about the allegations of misconduct. Judges Kevin Newsom and Robert Luck formed the majority, while Judge Embry Kidd dissented. Jordan and Rankin have each issued statements arguing the commission's findings are politically motivated.