Judge Cowart won't seek re-election

Terry Richards, The Tifton Gazette, Ga.
·1 min read

Jan. 29—VALDOSTA — The chief judge of the Southern Judicial Circuit's superior courts will not seek re-election, he said Monday.

Judge Richard M. Cowart's term will end Dec. 31, a statement from the Southern Judicial Circuit said.

Cowart began his law career in 1976 in private practice. He swerved as Recorders Court judge (Municipal Court) and the State Court Judge of Lowndes County, the statement said.

He was appointed to the Superior Court of the Southern Circuit bench in 1995, running unopposed ever since.

In 1995, Judge Kelly D. Turner was named by then-governor Zell Miller to fill Cowart's unexpired term as the state court judge.

Cowart has served as the chief judge of the Southern Judicial Circuit since January 2020. The circuit covers Lowndes, Crooks, Colquitt, Thomas and Echols counties.

Many a public servant had been sworn into office with Cowart handling the ceremonies, including:

— Joseph "Sonny" Vickers, Valdosta's first Black mayor;

— Tax Commissioner Rodney V. Caine;

— Probate Judge Detria Carter Powell;

— Former Valdosta Mayor John Gayle; and

— Former Valdosta councilwoman Deidra White.

In November, Valdosta Municipal Court Judge Jeremy Baker announced his intention to run for Cowart's post. Qualifying will take place the first week of March and voting will take place in the May election.

Terry Richards is the senior reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times.