Several local judicial officeholders

have their eyes on a higher prize a superior court judgeship, a political

plum to be dispensed by Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes as a mid-term appointment.

The field of candidates to

replace retiring Griffin Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Ben J. Miller

has a definite Fayette flavor. Since Miller is resigning midway during

his four-year elective term, the governor gets to pick the next Fayette

judge.

Two local magistrate judges

have thrown their hats in the ring, as have the top two officials from

the county's state court. Two private practice attorneys from Fayette

County are also on the 12-person list.

Fayette magistrates Charles

R. Floyd and Robert A. Ruppenthal have applied for the job, as have Fayette

State Court Judge Fletcher Sams and State Court Solicitor-General Steve

L. Harris.

The two local private practice

attorneys in the mix are R. Dolores Daniel and Stephen M. Kiser, both

of Peachtree City.

Another notable applicant for

the position is private practice attorney Andrew J. Whalen III of Griffin,

the son of former Chief Superior Court Judge Andrew J. Whalen, Jr.

Others who have applied for

the judgeship, which covers Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties,

include:

Bentley C. Adams III, formerly

of Zebulon, now a public defender currently located in American Samoa.

Robert Mallory Crawford of

Zebulon.

J. David Fowler of Molena.

Fowler is a former assistant district attorney in this circuit and lost

a race for the judgeship now held by Judge Christopher Edwards.

Tommy R. Hankinson of Thomaston.

Timothy N. Shepherd of Griffin.

The appointment will be made

Nominating Commission. The winner will fill the remaining two years on

Miller's term.

Miller's last day will be Dec.

31 of this year.

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