2026 Georgia General Election

2026 Georgia Primary Election

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NC Voter Coalition (demo)

North Carolina

Aaron B. Mason is from Ohio. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from Emory University.

Aaron previously worked as a senior assistant attorney general in the Georgia Attorney General's Office and a senior assistant solicitor general in the Clayton County Solicitor General's Office.

Aaron B. Mason Sworn in as Superior Court Judge

Aaron B. Mason - Ballotpedia

Aaron currently serves as a superior court judge for the Clayton Judicial District. He was first appointed in 2017, and is serving his second term. Aaron previously served as a judge for the Clayton County State Court. He served from 2010 to 2017.

As a senior assistant attorney general, Mason "defended constitutional and civil rights cases in federal court, representing state leaders in complex, multi-defendant litigation [and] successfully tried several federal jury cases and secured defense verdicts in each."

As a senior assistant solicitor general, Mason "prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases as lead counsel and supervised a trial team."

As a superior court judge, presides over misdemeanor, contract dispute, premises liability, divorce, land title, felony, and death penalty cases.

- As a senior assistant attorney general, Mason "defended constitutional and civil rights cases in federal court, representing state leaders in complex, multi-defendant litigation [and] successfully tried several federal jury cases and secured defense verdicts in each."
- As a senior assistant solicitor general, Mason "prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases as lead counsel and supervised a trial team."
- As a superior court judge, presides over misdemeanor, contract dispute, premises liability, divorce, land title, felony, and death penalty cases.

Legal Experience

As of March 11, 2026, Aaron Bradford Mason’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Said he helps lead Clayton County's drug court, which helps "many individuals overcome drug and alcohol addiction, avoid incarceration, and become contributing members of our community again."

Said he "has supported initiatives to reduce backlogs, improve technology, streamline processes, and help ensure timely hearings."

- Said he helps lead Clayton County's drug court, which helps "many individuals overcome drug and alcohol addiction, avoid incarceration, and become contributing members of our community again."
- Said he "has supported initiatives to reduce backlogs, improve technology, streamline processes, and help ensure timely hearings."

Judicial Administration

Believes in "appl[ying] the law consistently and impartially, treating all participants with respect and dignity. "

- Believes in "appl[ying] the law consistently and impartially, treating all participants with respect and dignity. "

Judicial Philosophy

Aaron previously served as president of the Clayton County Bar Association, District 4 chairman of the Council of State Court Judges, and attends Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church.

- Aaron previously served as president of the Clayton County Bar Association, District 4 chairman of the Council of State Court Judges, and attends Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church.

Community Involvement

Aaron Bradford Mason

Deitra Pleshette Burney-Butler earned her bachelor's degree from Metropolitan State College and her law degree from the University of Denver. She lives with her child in Jonesboro, Georgia. 

Deitra Burney-Butler Judge, Clayton County Juvenile Court, Youth Development & Juvenile Justice Center

Deitra previously served as a judge on the Clayton County Juvenile Court. She also worked as an attorney in a private practice, an assistant district attorney with the Clayton County District Attorney's Office, and as an assistant solicitor with the Clayton County Solicitor General's Office. 

Deitra Pleshette Burney-Butler has served as a Clayton County Juvenile Court Judge for 14½ years.

Deitra's campaign for superior court judge in the Clayton County Judicial Circuit is her first run for public office. 

Daily Inspiration: Meet Deitra Butler

Believes her extensive legal experience as a juvenile court judge equips her to make beneficial, law-based decisions for the community.

As a judge for the Clayton County Juvenile Court for 14 years, oversaw all cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless, as well as the emancipation process, and sentencing for certain violent felonies committed by individuals ages 13 to 17.

As an assistant attorney general for the Clayton County District Attorney's Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under both state and federal law, advised state and federal government officials and agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and may have mentored or supervised legal staff.

As a deputy solicitor general for the Clayton County Solicitor General's Office, developed legal strategy on issues of constitutional law, researched and drafted legal documents, and provided the solicitor general with recommendations on which cases the government should seek review of.

- As a judge for the Clayton County Juvenile Court for 14 years, oversaw all cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless, as well as the emancipation process, and sentencing for certain violent felonies committed by individuals ages 13 to 17.
- As an assistant attorney general for the Clayton County District Attorney's Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under both state and federal law, advised state and federal government officials and agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and may have mentored or supervised legal staff.
- As a deputy solicitor general for the Clayton County Solicitor General's Office, developed legal strategy on issues of constitutional law, researched and drafted legal documents, and provided the solicitor general with recommendations on which cases the government should seek review of.

Appointment Rescinded: Judge Ousted Amid 'Concerns About Her Ability to Serve'

Was removed from her position on the Clayton County Juvenile Court in 2023 after concerns were raised about her ability to serve.

- Was removed from her position on the Clayton County Juvenile Court in 2023 after concerns were raised about her ability to serve.

As of March 11, 2026, Deitra Pleshette Burney-Butler’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports using brain development science in crime reduction strategies, emphasizing the need to adequately serve youthful offenders to improve community safety and educational outcomes.

Believes that there is inequality in the Clayton County Superior Court and vows to apply standards, rules, and parameters of justice equally to all.

- Supports using brain development science in crime reduction strategies, emphasizing the need to adequately serve youthful offenders to improve community safety and educational outcomes.
- Believes that there is inequality in the Clayton County Superior Court and vows to apply standards, rules, and parameters of justice equally to all.

Serves on the Board of Directors for the Women of Clayton County.

Serves as a Zero to Three fellow, a leadership program focused on child development, and a National Black Child Development fellow.

- Serves on the Board of Directors for the Women of Clayton County.
- Serves as a Zero to Three fellow, a leadership program focused on child development, and a National Black Child Development fellow.

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Deitra Pleshette Burney-Butler

- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty. 
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability. 
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise. 

Trial Judge over a wide range of civil and criminal cases

Georgia Superior Court Judge, Clayton (Mason)

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement