A Effingham County State Court judge has made the short list submitted to Gov. Brian Kemp to fill a new judgeship on the Superior Court for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit.

Judge Ronnie Thompson, who has been serving as State Court judge since he was first elected in 2002, is one of three people who the governor will consider for the position.

Thompson has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 1990 and practiced law in various courts in Georgia for 13 years before ascending to the bench. He is currently serving his fifth term as Effingham County’s sole State Court judge.

In 2018, Thompson was awarded the “Champion of Justice Award” by the Georgia Council of State Court Judges for his handling of motions to unseal records that eventually led to the revelations of more than 100 female gymnasts abused by Dr. Larry Nassar. Nassar was the national team doctor for USA Gymnastics and is currently serving a 60 year sentence in federal prison for his heinous acts.

Bulloch County attorneys Martha Hall and Matthew Hube are the other candidates under consideration.