Georgia Supreme Court candidates Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin are striking back against the Republican-dominated Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission’s (JQC) complaints, calling it a violation of their free speech.
JQC, Georgia’s judicial watchdog agency, said it reasonably believes attorneys Jordan and Rankin – left-leaning candidates in non-partisan race– have violated the judicial code by publicly endorsing each another. The candidates are also pushing to restore abortion rights in Georgia.
This all comes after Jordan and Rankin filed a lawsuit against the JQC in April.
“The JQC’s attempts to silence me and other challengers, past and present, are not only unconstitutional, but a purely political move to keep voters in the dark. My speech is absolutely protected by the First Amendment and is absolutely necessary for voters to be able to make an informed decision,” Jordan said in a statement.
Georgia Supreme Court justices are appointed by a sitting governor or voted in by election. Of the current justices, eight of nine were appointed by former Republican governors.
Rankin said the JQC is attempting to “hide the stakes of this year’s judicial elections from voters.” She said by calling into question her “efforts to educate Georgians about who I am and what I believe,” the JQC has violated her First Amendment right to free speech.
“When powerful interests find themselves lacking in substance, facts, or evidence, they inevitably turn to the oldest tactic in the book: character assassination,” Rankin said.
Rankin’s statement claims the JQC has fabricated lies and attacked her campaign.
“Transparency and accuracy is vitally important, especially when one is wholly disregarding my rights and that of the Georgia public who have a right to know who they are voting for,” Rankin said. “I’ve spent my career standing up to powerful interests and fighting for people across Georgia to receive equal treatment under the law.”
In recent years, the state’s highest court has been asked to weigh in on Georgia’s six-week abortion ban and the powers of the State Election Board, which had attempted to pass controversial new voting rules shortly before the 2024 election, Georgia Recorder reported in February.
