NEWTON COUNTY — The Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted two recommendations to Gov. Brian Kemp to fill a vacant judgeship in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit.

District Attorney Randy McGinley and Newton County Probate and Magistrate Court Associate Judge Destiny H. Bryant will move forward in the selection process. Kemp will make his appointment following interviews with both candidates.

McGinley and Bryant were selected from among five people who submitted applications to be appointed to the judgeship that is vacant due to the resignation of former Chief Judge Ken Wynne.

Wynne’s resignation, which was effective April 1, leaves two years in his current term. Seven attorneys were nominated to fill the seat, with five submitting applications to the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission. The commission conducted interviews of selected candidates and sent a short list to Kemp.

Bryant has served as associate Probate Court and Magistrate Court judge in Newton County since 2021. She previously served as the senior assistant district attorney in Newton County and as an assistant district attorney in DeKalb County.

Bryant graduated cum laude from Xavier University in Ohio and William & Mary Law School in Virginia.

McGinley serves as district attorney for Walton and Newton counties, which make up the Alcovy Circuit. He was first elected in 2020 after being appointed interim district attorney after the appointment of former district attorney Layla Zon to the Superior Court bench. McGinley was re-elected without opposition in 2024.

McGinley first joined the office in 2011 and served as the chief assistant district attorney from 2017 until his appointment as DA. McGinley graduated from Georgia Tech in 2004 and Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 2011. Between obtaining his undergraduate degree and law degree, McGinley owned his own real estate appraisal company.