Judicial Nominating Commission Recommends Three Candidates for Muscogee County State Court Vacancies

Gov. Brian Kemp to interview nominees before making judicial appointments

The Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted the names of three candidates to Gov. Brian Kemp for consideration to fill two vacancies on the State Court of Muscogee County.

The vacancies were created by the resignation of Judge Andy Prather and the passage of House Bill 1258 (Act 661) during the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

The commission's recommendations include three attorneys with experience in private practice, judicial administration and local government law.

The following candidates have been recommended for consideration:

• Jennifer E. Dunlap — Partner at Dunlap & Lakes, P.C., and executive director of A Second Chance Criminal Record Relief.
• David B. Ranieri — Chief judge of the Recorder's Court of Columbus.
• Alex M. Shalishali — Shareholder and attorney at Page, Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker & Ford, P.C., and county attorney for the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners.

Kemp will select two individuals to fill the judicial vacancies from among the recommended candidates.

According to the announcement, the governor's office will contact the nominees to schedule interviews as part of the appointment process.

The appointments will fill vacancies on the State Court of Muscogee County, which handles misdemeanor criminal cases and civil matters within its jurisdiction.

A timeline for the governor's final selections has not been announced.