TIFTON — During this 2012 election, local voters will not only be deciding who they think should take the presidential seat, but they will also be choosing between Republican candidate Suzanne Carter Johnson (incumbent) and Democratic candidate Tyrone “Ty” Taylor for Judge of the Tift County Probate Court. This race is the only local contested race on the November ballot.

In the primary election, Johnson received 6,097 votes and Taylor received 527 votes.

With early voting underway and less than 20 days before Election Day, voters may be wondering which candidate is better fit to fill the probate court judge seat when going to the polls.

Johnson and Taylor were asked two specific questions by Gazette staff: “Why should local citizens vote to elect you for this position?” and “What are your plans if you’re elected?” Also, they had the opportunity to comment on what this election means to them.

Here are their responses to why citizens should vote for them:

Johnson: “The reason that I believe local citizens should vote to re-elect me for this position is that since I have served as probate court judge for the past eight years and have gained invaluable experience in managing the probate court office, as well as judicial experience on the bench, I am the candidate who is uniquely qualified for this position.

“I have a proven record of rendering fair and impartial judgments. I successfully manage a heavy caseload, hearing cases as they are set by attorneys or petitioners and rendering judgment in a timely manner. Many matters falling within the jurisdiction of probate court require both prompt attention and ongoing monitoring and supervision of the cases and the fiduciaries placed in positions of trust by the court.

“I have received extensive training conducted by the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education at the University of Georgia. This training is designed to enhance the skills of probate court judges, as well as update judges on new laws passed each legislative session that relate to probate court matters.

“I have the knowledge, leadership skills and integrity to continue leading this court forward.”



Taylor: “I humbly ask for citizens to vote for me to bring a level of unparalleled integrity to the probate judge’s office. I was born and raised in Tift County before I answered my nation’s call and served in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years and retired honorably. I served in numerous military operations to include Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.

“I also worked many personal and legal issues as a first sergeant. I served in a military ombudsman role and acted as a mediator between complainants and military agencies. I successfully resolved 95 percent of issues in my field of responsibility which did not require review by a higher agency. I was managed a $1.2 million operating budget and an organization with over 500 personnel assigned. I managed not only hundreds of routine administrative requirements, but also several highly sensitive situations with discretion.

“Later in my career, I worked as the chief clerk for the military installation magistrate judge, where I was responsible for maintaining legal records and ensuring all documents for the magistrate court judge conformed to the law and military regulations.

“I have carried the highest security clearances required for the positions I have held. My military leadership, along with my legal training, has given me the broad experience I believe only enhances my ability to make decisions and manage the probate court.

“Tift County deserves a compassionate probate judge who understands that your problems are the most important crisis in your life and need to be handled quickly and with respect, no matter who you are. I will be ethical and uphold the law without bowing to special interests or personal bias.

“I have the management and business experience necessary to run an efficient office in this difficult fiscal climate. I will be available to the public and willing to put in all the time necessary to answer your questions. Ty Taylor is the person with all the necessary skill sets to handle the job as probate judge.”



The following responses are to what their plans are if elected:

Johnson: “If re-elected, I will continue to provide professional, dedicated service to the citizens of Tift County and those who cannot represent themselves, including the deceased, minors, incapacitated adults and those with mental health problems.

“I plan to offer more opportunities for mediation. Many conflicts before the court can be resolved without resorting to intense litigation. Alternatives to litigation are not only cost effective, but they help preserve the long term integrity of the family unit.

“Continuing to offer exceptional public service is high priority. My staff is well trained to provide professional, courteous and efficient service.

“Providing innovative information technology is an important aspect of providing quality customer service and effective case management. I plan to implement software upgrades as needed.”



Taylor: “When elected, I plan to establish a Probate Information Center (PIC). The PIC is a proven system which has worked in several north Georgia counties and will save all citizens of Tift County both time and money. The PIC would offer a free 45 minute consultation with an attorney for individuals who do not currently have an attorney representing them regarding the uncontested probate of an estate of a person who died while a resident of Tift County. What’s more is there is zero cost to the taxpayers of Tift County. Since the probate judge is not an attorney, the PIC will be an invaluable resource to Tift County residents.

“Also, I assure Tift County I will remove the backlog and as probate judge, I will be available to perform weddings. The magistrate judges are performing weddings, so why can’t the judge who issued the marriage license perform weddings?

“I also would like to set up something fun and have a mass wedding ceremony on the main courthouse steps on Valentine’s Day. I have an idea to make this a huge production. I believe we have missed opportunities here in Tift County which would attract people to our beautiful location. Lowndes County performed a proxy wedding ceremony for a military couple some years back and it made news services worldwide.

“The noteworthy piece of the military proxy wedding was that the bride was in Valdosta and the groom was in Afghanistan when the probate judge performed the wedding. These are the kinds of things which let people know we live in a progressive community and make them want to live here as well.”



Lastly, the candidates commented on what this election means to them:

Johnson: “In the eight years that I have served as probate court judge, I believe that I have made a positive difference in the lives of those who have come before me. I try diligently to apply the law while striving to do that which is right, morally and ethically, and seek to bring peace and reconciliation to broken families.

“I have a passion for the duties of probate court judge and compassion and empathy for the people within this community who must rely upon the courts for protection. I make decisions daily that impact the lives of our most vulnerable citizens, minors and incapacitated adults. I take this responsibility seriously.

“My parents, who were also public servants, instilled in me values that have served me well — respect for others and a strong worth ethic. I look forward to the challenges that face me each day and welcome the opportunity to serve.

“I humbly ask for your vote and support, and I pledge to continue to serve with commitment, compassion and professionalism, and to uphold the trust that you have placed in me.”



Taylor: “This is more than just an election for me, my family and other families needing the probate judge’s assistance. This is about compassion. Every one of my decisions while being in line with the law will be tempered with compassion for the family whose very lives will be altered by any decision which is made.

“The probate judge must be cognizant of how the decisions they make will affect the family through the generations that will have their history altered. The very genetic make-up of my very own family is only because a compassionate judge took the time to realize the affect their decision to grant a guardianship would have on my family and allow a child to grow up in a stable home.

“Tift County needs someone who can balance the law along with making decisions in the best interest of the lives they touch. Ty Taylor is the person with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide what Tift County needs in its probate judge. It is again for this reason that I ask for your vote and support so that together we can start ‘Making Tift County Better.’”



Johnson is completing her second term in office after being elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. She is active in the Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia and the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia and serves on various committees within each organization. She serves on the board of directors of the Alternative Dispute Resolution program for the Tifton Judicial Circuit, as well as on the Law Library Board for Tift County. Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, resides in Tifton with her husband, David T. (Tommy) Johnson. Her mother, the late Oneita Carter, taught many years in Tift County public schools, and her father, the late Bill Carter, served as Tift County warden.

Taylor is the son of Charlie Will and Ella Taylor of Tifton. He and his wife Kristina have three children — Erik, 20; Tyler, 13; and Cayden, 4. Taylor was born and raised in Tift County. He attended Tift County public schools and was a member of the Tift County High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp. After graduating from TCHS, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his time serving, Taylor was deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terror and was awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal with one service star, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border. He is also a member of the American Legion Post 21.



To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.