ACCORDING TO: Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Mark Murphy:
On February 5, 2025, recently re-elected Haralson County Chief Magistrate Jason Blackmon submitted his resignation from that office to Governor Brian Kemp, who accepted Blackmon’s resignation, creating a vacancy in the office.
Haralson County Superior Court Chief Judge Mark H. Murphy and Judge Andrew B. Roper have consulted with Haralson County Elections Superintendent Vaughn Gable and County Attorney Avery Jackson on the legal process required to fill the vacancy. The result is a determination that Georgia law requires that the vacancy be filled by appointment of the superior court judges to fill the balance of the unexpired term. No special election is authorized or required.
Judges Murphy and Roper, along with other county officials, are developing a process that will provide public notice of the vacancy, as well as instructions for those interested in applying for appointment to the office of Chief Magistrate. The person appointed will serve the remainder of the term, through December 31, 2028.
In the interim, Associate Magistrate Crystal Damiano has been appointed as Interim Chief Magistrate by order of the Superior Court judges. This appointment ensures that the Haralson County Magistrate Court can continue to carry out its regular work and fulfill its legal obligations without interruption.
Further information will be published and distributed as soon as it is available.
