The town of Thomson is without a mayor.
Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday issued an order suspending Mayor Benji Cranford from office in light of Cranford’s pending indictment for supplying inmate laborers with a bottle of gin.
Cranford, elected last year, said he was confident “the truth will come out” when he has his day in court. He made the following statement:
While I am disappointed in the decision to suspend me as the mayor of Thomson, as a public servant of this community I felt compelled to address this directly.
Regardless of title, I have been and will continue to serve my community as we work together to recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
I am confident that the truth will come out once I have my day in court. Until then, I look forward to continuing to be part of the positive changes that the community of Thomson wants and needs.— Benji Cranford
Kemp’s order followed the recommendation of a review commission comprising the mayors of Harlem and Grovetown and a deputy attorney general, according to prior reports.
The panel sought additional time and submitted its report Oct. 1.
The report found the August indictment “does relate to and does adversely affect the administration of duties by Mayor Cranford,” and so leaving “the interests of the public adversely affected.”
His suspension remains in effect pending the disposition of Cranford’s criminal case or the expiration of his term, which runs out at the end of 2025.
The order came as Kemp visited the town of about 7,000 and Cranford to survey damage from Hurricane Helene and the relief effort.
Cranford was elected last year in a 637-455 upset against longtime Mayor Kenneth Usry. Usry had served as mayor for 12 years and as a member of the Thomson City Council for 28 years.
State law provides ways to appoint an interim mayor, including an appointment by the council, or the governor if no other process exists.
Cranford was indicted in Toombs Circuit Superior Court for furnishing prohibited items to inmates and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
The owner of a road construction business, Cranford allegedly bought the gin for the inmates then left it on a public right-of-way inside Thomson city limits where they were working.
