Second challenger in Augusta civil and magistrate judge contests

A second local attorney has her sights set on a Richmond County civil and magistrate court judgeship.

Laverne Lewis Gaskins announced Monday she is running for chief civil and magistrate court judge. Chief Judge William D. Jennings III has held the position since 1987.

Lewis Gaskins joins Le’Joi Williamson, who announced last month she is running for Augusta’s other civil and magistrate judgeship, the presiding judge position held by Scott Allen.

A Georgia native raised in a military family, Lewis Gaskins graduated from Richmond Academy, Valdosta State University and Florida State University Law School, according to a statement. She has served as a special assistant state attorney general and most recently as senior legal counsel for Augusta University.

Lewis Gaskins said she’d made the decision to run after many conversations with family and friends and much prayer.

“I’m looking forward to talking directly to Richmond County families and our community about their wants and needs from their next chief magistrate,” she said.

The race will likely be decided on the May 19 Democratic primary ballot. Allen has said he intends to run again and all four candidates are Democrats. The two primary winners would face any Republican opposition on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Jennings has been challenged only once since taking office -- in 2000 by attorney Ben Jackson -- while Allen has never been opposed.

Civil and Magistrate Court handles a varied list of tasks, from evictions, property code violations and civil suits for lesser amounts to issuing arrest warrants, setting bonds for felony offenses and deciding if sufficient evidence exists to bind felony defendants over for indictment by a superior court grand jury.