BallotPedia, Matt McMaster (Georgia 7th Superior Court Cobb Circuit, Georgia, candidate 2022)

Candidate website

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The candidate's website says, "Matt has practiced in over 20 different counties across Georgia and has multiple times sacrificed political stature to stand by what is right."

Practiced in over "20 different counties across Georgia and has multiple times sacrificed political stature to stand by what is right."

Has taken cases in areas of law including: business law, contracts, civil litigation, family law, and landlord/tenant law.

Received a Juris Doctorate from Ave Maria School of Law.

Served as an editor for the Law Review journal, and clerked for Justice Elizabeth A. Weaver of the Michigan Supreme Court in 2007.

- Practiced in over "20 different counties across Georgia and has multiple times sacrificed political stature to stand by what is right."
- Has taken cases in areas of law including: business law, contracts, civil litigation, family law, and landlord/tenant law.
- Received a Juris Doctorate from Ave Maria School of Law.
- Served as an editor for the Law Review journal, and clerked for Justice Elizabeth A. Weaver of the Michigan Supreme Court in 2007.

Legal Experience

The candidate's website says, "Bowers poses a serious threat to The People of Cobb County... We must do something to change the course of our judiciary or else we will suffer the fate of our neighbors in Fulton County who are presently floundering and flailing in a cesspool of corruption and lawlessness. The integrity of our judiciary is lacking... We as a County must break the chain."

Believes "Bowers poses a serious threat to The People of Cobb County... We must do something to change the course of our judiciary or else we will suffer the fate of our neighbors in Fulton County who are presently floundering and flailing in a cesspool of corruption and lawlessness. The integrity of our judiciary is lacking... We as a County must break the chain."

Opposes cronyism and corruption in Cobb County's judiciary, criticizing incumbent Judge Bowers and Senior Judge Brantley for perpetuating unethical practices.

- Believes "Bowers poses a serious threat to The People of Cobb County... We must do something to change the course of our judiciary or else we will suffer the fate of our neighbors in Fulton County who are presently floundering and flailing in a cesspool of corruption and lawlessness. The integrity of our judiciary is lacking... We as a County must break the chain."
- Opposes cronyism and corruption in Cobb County's judiciary, criticizing incumbent Judge Bowers and Senior Judge Brantley for perpetuating unethical practices.

Ethics & Conduct

Said, "...the incumbent executes his job with a severely outdated and flawed philosophy, which is inconsistent with his duty to make decisions based on the facts and the law."

- Said, "...the incumbent executes his job with a severely outdated and flawed philosophy, which is inconsistent with his duty to make decisions based on the facts and the law."

Judicial Philosophy

Believes judges in Cobb County hastily approve decisions without due diligence, undermining due process and harming lives, urges voters to intervene for change.

Said, "But how do we address these problematic senior judges, these alleged “leaders” who are not subject to the will of the voters? ... Challenge those elected judges who assign their cases to these senior judges, those who appoint them as mediators, and those who publicly encourage and praise them. ... both judges utilize the "rubber-stamp" method for closing cases which is perhaps the biggest threat to due process facing civil litigants."

Said, "But how do we address these problematic senior judges, these alleged “leaders” who are not subject to the will of the voters? ... Challenge those elected judges who assign their cases to these senior judges, those who appoint them as mediators, and those who publicly encourage and praise them."

Said, "How could a judge simply sign parental rights away at the drop of a hat, without notice or a hearing? ... This is what I call “faux process” ... what many attorneys refer to as a “rubber-stamped” order."

Said, "How could a judge simply sign parental rights away at the drop of a hat, without notice or a hearing? ... This is what I call “faux process”... what many attorneys refer to as a “rubber-stamped” order."

Opposes the frequent use of rubber-stamped orders by judges like Brantley in Georgia, viewing it as a threat to due process and criticizing the costly appeal process as an unjust barrier to equitable case resolution.

- Believes judges in Cobb County hastily approve decisions without due diligence, undermining due process and harming lives, urges voters to intervene for change.
- Said, "But how do we address these problematic senior judges, these alleged “leaders” who are not subject to the will of the voters? ... Challenge those elected judges who assign their cases to these senior judges, those who appoint them as mediators, and those who publicly encourage and praise them."
- Said, "How could a judge simply sign parental rights away at the drop of a hat, without notice or a hearing? ... This is what I call “faux process”... what many attorneys refer to as a “rubber-stamped” order."
- Opposes the frequent use of rubber-stamped orders by judges like Brantley in Georgia, viewing it as a threat to due process and criticizing the costly appeal process as an unjust barrier to equitable case resolution.

Judicial Administration

Said, "For me, all roads have led to Cobb County and Marietta, Georgia is my home. Cobb's well-being is very personal to me."

- Said, "For me, all roads have led to Cobb County and Marietta, Georgia is my home. Cobb's well-being is very personal to me."

Community Involvement

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Matt McMaster

Judge Carl W. Bowers

Serves as a state court judge since 2005.

As a Magistrate Judge, presided over preliminary hearings, issued search warrants, and conducted bond hearings.

As an Assistant Solicitor-General in Cobb State Court, handled various legal matters on behalf of the state, including prosecuting criminal cases and providing legal advice.

As a Law Clerk for Cobb Superior Court, assisted judges with legal research, drafting court documents, and managing case files.

- Serves as a state court judge since 2005.
- As a Magistrate Judge, presided over preliminary hearings, issued search warrants, and conducted bond hearings.
- As an Assistant Solicitor-General in Cobb State Court, handled various legal matters on behalf of the state, including prosecuting criminal cases and providing legal advice.
- As a Law Clerk for Cobb Superior Court, assisted judges with legal research, drafting court documents, and managing case files.

As of March 23, 2024, Carl W. Bowers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "“ I am motivated by faith, by my love of my family, and by a desire to do what is correct, always. Those values guide me every day in my service to Cobb County.”"

Said, "I am motivated by faith, by my love of my family, and by a desire to do what is correct, always. Those values guide me every day in my service to Cobb County."

- Said, "I am motivated by faith, by my love of my family, and by a desire to do what is correct, always. Those values guide me every day in my service to Cobb County."

State Court Candidates Talk Tech, Character and Challenges

Supports using technology and the continued practice of online hearings as a judge.

- Supports using technology and the continued practice of online hearings as a judge.

Coaches kids' sports and teaches Sunday School.

- Coaches kids' sports and teaches Sunday School.

Carl W. Bowers

Received a Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law.

Worked for twelve years at Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers, LLP where she rose to the rank of Labor & Employment and Workers' Compensation Partner and handled cases from FLSA lawsuits to racial and sexual harassment allegations.

Currently serves as a Senior Supervising Attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on their Economic Justice Litigation team where she has "gained valuable experience serving communities who have been cast neglected, marginalized and often exploited."

- Received a Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law.
- Worked for twelve years at Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers, LLP where she rose to the rank of Labor & Employment and Workers' Compensation Partner and handled cases from FLSA lawsuits to racial and sexual harassment allegations.
- Currently serves as a Senior Supervising Attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on their Economic Justice Litigation team where she has "gained valuable experience serving communities who have been cast neglected, marginalized and often exploited."

As of March 23, 2024, Crystal Stevens McElrath’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "Everyone-- regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, socioeconomic status or title-- deserves equal access to timely justice and grievance remedies... Cobb needs judges who prioritize people over politics."

- Said, "Everyone-- regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, socioeconomic status or title-- deserves equal access to timely justice and grievance remedies... Cobb needs judges who prioritize people over politics."

Said, "As a judge, I pledge to make legal proceedings understandable and accessible to all.. By fostering open communication and providing clear explanations of legal proceedings, I aim to be a judge Cobb residents can trust."

Plans to uphold fair sentencing practices and equitable adjudication.

Wants to prioritize efficient case processing and timely resolutions through the use of streamlined processes and technology.

- Said, "As a judge, I pledge to make legal proceedings understandable and accessible to all.. By fostering open communication and providing clear explanations of legal proceedings, I aim to be a judge Cobb residents can trust."
- Plans to uphold fair sentencing practices and equitable adjudication.
- Wants to prioritize efficient case processing and timely resolutions through the use of streamlined processes and technology.

Served as a former member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), former Section Vice-Chair for the Georgia Defense Lawyers' Association (GDLA), and former NextGen Breakfast Co-Chair at the Young NonProfit Professionals Network (YNPN).

- Served as a former member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), former Section Vice-Chair for the Georgia Defense Lawyers' Association (GDLA), and former NextGen Breakfast Co-Chair at the Young NonProfit Professionals Network (YNPN).

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Crystal Stevens McElrath

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 
