2024 Effingham County State Court Election Overview
Judge Stephen Yekel, appointed in 2022, lost his re-election bid for Effingham County State Court Judge in the 2024 election cycle. He died by suicide on December 31, 2024, his last day in office, at the age of 74. Prior to his death, he submitted a resignation letter to Governor Brian Kemp, citing concerns about low voter turnout, which the Governor declined.
2024 Election Results
| Candidate | General Election (May 21, 2024) | Runoff Election (June 18, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Yekel | 42.19% | 1,232 votes (43.1%) |
| Melissa Calhoun | 1,623 votes (56.8%) | |
| Raymond Dickey |
Detailed Analysis of the 2024 Election
The 2024 Effingham County State Court Judge election began with a three-way race between incumbent Stephen Yekel, Melissa Calhoun, and Raymond Dickey. In the May 21st general election, Yekel secured a plurality with 42.19% of the vote, but not the required majority to avoid a runoff. This suggests a significant portion of the electorate was open to a new judge. The exact vote totals for Calhoun and Dickey in the general election are not readily available, hindering a complete analysis of the initial phase.
The June 18th runoff election narrowed the field to Yekel and Calhoun. Calhoun won the runoff with 1,623 votes (56.8%), defeating Yekel, who received 1,232 votes (43.1%). The shift in voter preference between the general and runoff elections may suggest Calhoun’s campaign resonated more strongly with voters in the intervening weeks, or perhaps strategic voting played a role.
Several factors may have contributed to Yekel’s loss. These could include voter perceptions of his judicial record, the effectiveness of Calhoun’s campaign, changes in voter turnout between the two elections, or broader local and national political trends. Further research, such as analyzing local news coverage or campaign finance data, might offer additional insights.
Judge Yekel’s suicide on December 31, 2024, adds a tragic dimension to the election narrative. While it’s impossible to definitively link his death to the election outcome, the proximity of the two events raises questions about the pressures faced by public officials.
Related Information
Information on the winning candidate, Melissa Calhoun, and other Effingham County races could not be located readily. Further investigation may reveal more information.
Official Sources
- Effingham County Board of Elections (This link is assumed based on standard county website structure. Please verify.)
- Georgia Secretary of State Elections Division
