Porterdale swore in its newest municipal court judge last week, replacing former Judge Robert Mumford.

Kimberly Degonia, who has served as a magistrate judge for Newton County since 2009, was appointed municipal judge after Mumford served for eight months.

Mumford stepped down to run for Superior Court judge in Rockdale County. For Porterdale officials, the resignation was not a surprise.

"Judge Mumford was upfront with us from the beginning that he may have to resign," city manager Bob Thomson said. "He just didn't know at that point how the race in Rockdale would go."

Thomson said Degonia was a finalist during the search for a municipal court judge last year when Mumford was selected.

After receiving her juris doctorate at Mercer University, Degonia started her career in 2001 as an attorney for employers and corporations. In 2003, she started at a private practice in Covington as an attorney. She also served as a legal advisor for the Newton County Board of Commissioners in 2005 and 2006. In 2009, Degonia began serving as a magistrate judge for Newton County.