Federal Judge Blocks Georgia Ethics Panel Release Before State Supreme Court Election

A federal judge has blocked a Georgia judicial ethics panel from publicly releasing findings that two state Supreme Court candidates violated conduct rules, creating a last-minute controversy ahead of Tuesday's election. U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, preventing the state's Judicial Qualifications Commission from issuing a statement about candidates Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin.

The special committee had concluded the candidates likely violated the state's Code of Judicial Conduct by campaigning together and by making statements on issues that could come before the court, specifically regarding reproductive rights. The candidates are challenging incumbent Justices Sarah Warren and Charlie Bethel in what are officially nonpartisan elections.

In her ruling, Judge Gardner wrote that the candidates' speech was protected by the First Amendment. She stated that their comments regarding reproductive rights or endorsements from certain organizations did not constitute explicit pledges on how they would rule. Gardner also determined the candidates would suffer immediate and irreparable injury if the committee's findings were released...