Kemp Appointed Ronald E. Daniels as Superior Court Judge
Governor Brian Kemp selected Ronald E. Daniels to fill a judicial vacancy within the Oconee Judicial Circuit.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People
Governor Brian Kemp has appointed attorney Ronald E. Daniels to serve as a Superior Court Judge for the Oconee Judicial Circuit. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge Howard Kaufold Jr. in July.
Why it matters
The appointment ensures the continued operation of the Oconee Judicial Circuit, which serves five Georgia counties. Judge Kaufold Jr. had held the position prior to his passing, leaving a critical role in the state's judicial system that required a gubernatorial appointment.
Ronald E. Daniels has operated as a managing partner since 2015 when he opened his own law firm. This firm, Daniels Law LLC, is located in Eastman.
The players
Brian Kemp
He is the Governor of Georgia who holds the executive authority to appoint state judges.
Ronald E. Daniels
He is a lawyer and the new appointee to the Oconee Judicial Circuit Superior Court.
Howard Kaufold Jr.
He was the former Superior Court Judge whose death necessitated the current appointment.
The details
Daniels brings experience from his tenure as a managing partner and his education at the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. The Oconee Judicial Circuit encompasses Dodge, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, and Wheeler Counties.
Timeline
Howard Kaufold Jr. passed away in July 2026.
Ronald E. Daniels opened his own law firm in 2015.
Governor Kemp announced the appointment on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment maintains the continuity of the state judiciary following the procedures established by the Georgia Constitution's provisions for gubernatorial judicial appointments. It positions the Oconee Judicial Circuit to resume standard operations within the regional legal framework.
Residents of the Oconee Judicial Circuit will see a return to a full judicial bench, which helps stabilize court dockets and legal proceedings. This ensures that legal matters in the five-county area remain handled by an appointed authority in accordance with state law.
The takeaway
The appointment of Ronald E. Daniels ensures that the Oconee Judicial Circuit continues to function without further interruption. Citizens within the five-county jurisdiction should expect court proceedings to proceed under the guidance of the newly appointed judge.
Further reading
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