The state house seat vacated by Rep. Barry Fleming could have a new representative in less than six weeks.
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a writ Wednesday for a special election to be held Feb. 13 to fill the District 125 seat.
The House vacancy was created when Kemp on Dec. 27 appointed Fleming, R-Harlem, to serve as a Columbia County Superior Court judge.
The judicial vacancy opened when Chief Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. retired last month with two years left in his term. Kemp appointed Blanchard a senior judge on Tuesday.
So far, only one candidate for Fleming’s seat has announced his intent to run.
Sparkle Express car wash owner and outgoing Columbia County Commission Vice Chairman Gary Richardson announced Dec. 29 he will pursue Fleming’s seat.
District 125, known till 2022 as District 121, spans Harlem, Grovetown, Dearing and unincorporated areas of western Columbia and McDuffie counties.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Thursday candidate qualifying for the election will take place at his Atlanta office next week.
The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Candidates for state House must be at least 21 years old, a Georgia citizen for two years and a resident of the district for one year.
The qualifying fee is $400.
By running for the House seat, Richardson, who bid farewell to his commission colleagues Tuesday, creates an opening on the five-member commission. It likely will need to be filled in the coming months.
Richardson’s term was set to expire at the end of 2024.
The special election winner will serve the remainder of Fleming’s House term, which ends in December.
Jan. 16 is the last day to register to vote in the special election. Advance voting begins Jan. 22.
