Hunstein Sworn in As New Supreme Court Chief Justice

Justices Carol Hunstein and George Carley await investiture
as Chief Justice and Presiding Justice, respectively. (Photo: V Edwards)

Investiture of Chief Justice Carol Hunstein by
former Governor Zell Miller. (Photo: V Edwards)

Former DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Carol Hunstein was sworn in today as Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Former Governor Zell Miller presided over the investiture.

Hunstein was chosen by Miller in 1992 to become the second woman to serve on Georgia's Supreme Court. She succeeds outgoing Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, who retired in June.

As the state's revenues continue to decline, and following a recent move by Governor Sonny Perdue to slash the judiciary's budget, the new chief justice says she will make funding the state's courts one of her top priorities.

"I plan to sit down with the Governor and with other leaders very, very soon and explain the constitutional duty of our court system. The citizens of this state deserve to have access to their courts. I am very, very confident that we will be able to work amiably together to resolve the problems."

The Chief Justice presides over Georgia's judicial branch, just as the governor heads the executive branch of government. The Presiding Justice serves in her absence.

And, associate justice George Carley was also sworn in today to succeed Hunstein as presiding judge. Former Governor Miller appointed Carley to the state’s highest court in 1993.

Baker To Run For Governor

Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker is entering the 2010 Governor's Race. Baker, a Democrat, served for twelve years as Attorney General. Former Democratic governor Zell Miller first appointed Baker to the position. Previously, Baker served as Miller's floor leader in the House of Representatives.

Baker is the first African American to hold the position of Attorney General in Georgia. He's the second Democrat to enter his party's primary.

That primary is expected to become more crowded. Former Governor Roy Barnes is speculated to want his job back, while current House Minority Leader Dubose Porter is also expected to run for the position.

They would join former Georgia Air Guard Commander and Lieutenant General David Poythress.

Senate candidates break--only for today

Georgia's runoff election is only days away, but today will be a day of rest and time for family for the two U.S. Senate candidates.

But for Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin, both were busy yesterday in the final hours before the holiday. Chambliss was in Gainesville at an event with Zell Miller. The former Governor and Senator had this to say in turning-out to help Chambliss.

"It's a very important election. I don't get out of Young Harris much...it takes a lot to get me over that mountain. It's important."

Miller went on to say this was "a history changing election" and urged a gathering of Republicans to send incumbent Chambliss back to Washington.

In Atlanta yesterday, Jim Martin received the support of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers. Martin spokesman Matt Canter on the Democratic challenger’s schedule in these final days.

"We've got one more election left...people know how important it is. Jim Martin certainly wants to take as much time as he can with his family, but he's also traveling the state talking to voters making sure everybody get out to the polls on Tuesday."

Early voting for Georgia's runoff election is now closed. The Secretary of State's website shows over 345,000 registered voters took advantage of the opportunity to cast ballots early.

UGA honors former governor

At the University of Georgia campus in Athens, a student activities center is set to be named after former Gov. Joe Frank Harris. Harris led the state from 1983 to 1991. During his two terms as governor, Harris secured funding for the Georgia Dome and helped lead Atlanta to win the bid to host the 1996 Olympics. Harris, who graduated from the university in 1958, will speak at the naming ceremony October 10th. UGA also has plans to name another building for former Gov. Zell Miller later this month.

UGA plans building name changes

University of Georgia administrators want to rename campus buildings after three former governors. The proposals would rename the Student Learning Center in honor of Zell Miller. UGA also want to rename Building 1514, a dormitory on the east campus, after S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. A third structure, the East Campus Commons, would become the Joe Frank Harris Commons. All the ex-governors are UGA graduates.