5-figure spending reported in judge race

The nonpartisan selection of a Superior Court judge is the only local contest in the May 22 election.

Voters will go to the polls May 22 to choose party nominees for the November general election but nonpartisan races — judgeships — also will be decided that day.

Locally, attorneys Emily Matson and Kay Ann Wetherington are facing off for the seat being vacated by Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge Tami Colston.

None of the partisan primaries are contested and Floyd County Superior Court Judge Billy Sparks and Juvenile Court Judge Greg Price are unchallenged for new four-year terms.

Reports on campaign finance activities through the end of March were due at the State Ethics Commission from all candidates by Friday night.

Emily Matson

Matson reported $18,466 in her account after taking in $47,466 in donations and spending $29,000 on her campaign.

Currently in private practice with her husband and specializing in personal injury cases, Matson said she’s always had a strong interest in constitutional law. At a Floyd County Democratic Party meet-the-candidates event where she and Wetherington both spoke, she emphasized that she’s represented a diverse local clientele in a wide range of cases.

“I really do love the rules we as attorneys have to follow,” Matson said, adding that, “I want to come from the outside and go in and make a difference.”

Her biggest donation for this reporting period, which started Jan. 1, was $2,500 from the campaign account of Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome.

Contributions of $1,500 each came from Richard Gilbert of Rome, an executive with the financial services company Atlanticus Holdings Corp., and his wife, Debra Gilbert. Other major donors, at the $1,000 level, were retiree Mary Gooch, the law firm of Fred Kelly, OTR Wheel Engineering owner Fred Taylor, and the law firm of Cox, Byington, Twyman, & Johnson, LLP.

Contributions in smaller amounts came from numerous local attorneys, educators and medical professionals.

In addition to campaign signs, flyers, ads and events, Matson’s expense list included salaries for campaign manager William Errickson and campaign assistant James Douglas, both of Rome.