Andy Maddox was raised in Georgia and is a graduate of Calhoun High School and Baylor University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He attended law school at Campbell University. He currently resides in Gainesville, GA with his wife and 3 sons.

Maddox announces run for state court judgeship

Andy has worked for his own legal practice which he opened in 1997 and is a part-time magistrate court judge in Hall County. He also has experience doing real estate work in Texas.

Ballotpedia

Andy Maddox's campaign for State Court Judge in Hall County is his first entry into politics.

Candidate website

Believes in diverse legal experience, having worked in litigation at Whelchel, Dunlap & Gignilliat LLP, started a practice in real estate, civil, and criminal law, and expanded to four lawyers across Hall and Dawson counties.

Has over 30 years of experience practicing real estate, civil, and criminal law.

Worked in litigation at Whelchel, Dunlap & Gignilliat LLP in Hall County where he focused on business law and criminal cases.

Andy opened his own legal practice and works in real estate law as well as civil and criminal cases. His practice now includes four lawyers and two locations in Hall and Dawson counties.

As a part-time Hall County Magistrate Court judge, he has been assigned over 100 times by the Superior and State Court Judges to preside in Superior, State, and Juvenile Court.

- Has over 30 years of experience practicing real estate, civil, and criminal law.
- Worked in litigation at Whelchel, Dunlap & Gignilliat LLP in Hall County where he focused on business law and criminal cases.
- Andy opened his own legal practice and works in real estate law as well as civil and criminal cases. His practice now includes four lawyers and two locations in Hall and Dawson counties.
- As a part-time Hall County Magistrate Court judge, he has been assigned over 100 times by the Superior and State Court Judges to preside in Superior, State, and Juvenile Court.

Legal Experience

Said, "I have a long history of experience serving this community, and a track record that proves my dedication to fundamental fairness."

- Said, "I have a long history of experience serving this community, and a track record that proves my dedication to fundamental fairness."

Ethics & Conduct

Facebook

Lists his priorities as, "Uphold[ing] our system of fairness. Keep[ing] politics out of the courtroom. Keep[ing] Hall County safe."

- Lists his priorities as, "Uphold[ing] our system of fairness. Keep[ing] politics out of the courtroom. Keep[ing] Hall County safe."

Judicial Philosophy

As of June 8, 2025, Andy Maddox’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Believes in community engagement through sports, coaching local and travel teams, and fostering athletic excellence, evidenced by leading Riverside Academy's baseball team to regional victories and a state championship.

Has coached local and travel sports teams and lead Riverside Academy's baseball team to regional victories and a state championship.

Believes in community engagement, serving as a Deacon, choir member at First Baptist Church, coaching youth sports, participating in Leadership Hall County, the Jaycees, and community theater in Gainesville for over three decades.

Serves as a Deacon and choir member at First Baptist Church. He is also involved in community theater.

Is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and former member of the Jaycees.

Said, "I have a long history of experience serving this community... I care about the people here, and I will continue to make this community proud.”"

Said, "I have a long history of experience serving this community... I care about the people here, and I will continue to make this community proud."

- Has coached local and travel sports teams and lead Riverside Academy's baseball team to regional victories and a state championship.
- Serves as a Deacon and choir member at First Baptist Church. He is also involved in community theater.
- Is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and former member of the Jaycees.
- Said, "I have a long history of experience serving this community... I care about the people here, and I will continue to make this community proud."

Community Involvement

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Andy Maddox

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Brian C Heck received a B.A. in History from LaGrange College and his J.D. from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. He is married with two daughters.

Brian C Heck has experience as a prosecutor, staff attorney, and Associate Magistrate Judge.

Access WDUN, Brian Heck changes course, now seeking State Court seat

Brian C Heck announced his bid for Judge of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court in 2023. However, 4 weeks later he decided to run for State Court Judge in Hall County instead.

Believes in diverse legal experience, having served as a prosecutor, Senior Trial Attorney, staff attorney to a Superior Court Judge, and currently as an Associate Magistrate Court Judge for nearly a decade.

- Believes in diverse legal experience, having served as a prosecutor, Senior Trial Attorney, staff attorney to a Superior Court Judge, and currently as an Associate Magistrate Court Judge for nearly a decade.

As of June 8, 2025, Brian C Heck’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "Uphold the Rule of Law and Constitution"

Wants to, "Uphold the Rule of Law and Constitution"

Said, "Guided by the law, common-sense, and good judgment, I will follow the law and make sure justice is served to keep our families safe."

Wants to "keep our families safe from crime" and "hold criminals accountable."

- Wants to, "Uphold the Rule of Law and Constitution"
- Said, "Guided by the law, common-sense, and good judgment, I will follow the law and make sure justice is served to keep our families safe."
- Wants to "keep our families safe from crime" and "hold criminals accountable."

Said, "I will put my experience to work to make sure our court system remains fair and efficient... that justice is done..."

Plans to ensure court efficiency, uphold justice with integrity, treat all with dignity, and adhere to the law to maintain community safety, if elected as State Court Judge.

Wants to ensure "Everyone gets their day in court."

- Said, "I will put my experience to work to make sure our court system remains fair and efficient... that justice is done..."
- Plans to ensure court efficiency, uphold justice with integrity, treat all with dignity, and adhere to the law to maintain community safety, if elected as State Court Judge.
- Wants to ensure "Everyone gets their day in court."

Brian C Heck

Access WDUN, Tripp Wingate announces run for Hall County State Court

Wingate graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/Business Administration and from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University with a Juris Doctorate. He lives with his wife and daughter and they are members of the First Presbyterian of Gainesville.

John "Tripp" Wingate III has 25 years of litigation experience. He also has experience working on his grandparents’ farm, working at a True Value hardware store, driving a vending machine route, and selling men’s clothing.

Ballotpedia, John Wingate III (Hall County State Court, Georgia, candidate 2024)

John "Tripp" Wingate III's campaign for State Court Judge in Hall County is his first entry into politics.

Said, "My legal career and background show that I am qualified, am willing to put in the time to do the work, and have experience with a wide variety of people and problems."

Said, "I have been sitting in the same chair behind the same desk in the same law office on Green Street for the past 24 years."

Served as a law clerk to the Superior Court judges of the Enotah Judicial Circuit.

Joined the law firm of Myers & Stroberg, LLP, in 1999 as an associate and thereafter becoming a partner in 2006.

Holds an AV-Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating, is a member of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Bar Association (President, 2015-2016), is a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, and is a certified mediator.

- Said, "My legal career and background show that I am qualified, am willing to put in the time to do the work, and have experience with a wide variety of people and problems."
- Said, "I have been sitting in the same chair behind the same desk in the same law office on Green Street for the past 24 years."
- Served as a law clerk to the Superior Court judges of the Enotah Judicial Circuit.
- Joined the law firm of Myers & Stroberg, LLP, in 1999 as an associate and thereafter becoming a partner in 2006.
- Holds an AV-Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating, is a member of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Bar Association (President, 2015-2016), is a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, and is a certified mediator.

Said, "At the end of the day, people should feel that they were provided a fair opportunity to be heard, that they were treated with respect and courtesy, and that they were given a prompt ruling they can understand."

- Said, "At the end of the day, people should feel that they were provided a fair opportunity to be heard, that they were treated with respect and courtesy, and that they were given a prompt ruling they can understand."

Said, "I will not leave common sense or my years of experience at the front door of the courthouse and will always seek to be prepared for each case being presented."

Refers to himself as a "Constitutional Conservative" and he opposes gun control.

Believes that a "judge should interpret the law — not create it."

- Said, "I will not leave common sense or my years of experience at the front door of the courthouse and will always seek to be prepared for each case being presented."
- Refers to himself as a "Constitutional Conservative" and he opposes gun control.
- Believes that a "judge should interpret the law — not create it."

Said, "I will give great care and due consideration to the constitutional role of our courts, as our court system and our system of government rely upon public confidence."

- Said, "I will give great care and due consideration to the constitutional role of our courts, as our court system and our system of government rely upon public confidence."

Has previously served as a mentor in the State Bar of Georgia's Transition Into Law Program.

- Has previously served as a mentor in the State Bar of Georgia's Transition Into Law Program.

John "Tripp" Wingate, III

- 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. 


Hall State Court Judge

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement