Second Cobb clerk candidate faces ballot ouster

A petition has been filed with Cobb County election officials to bounce a second candidate vying for superior court clerk.

Micharel Carvalho of west Cobb is petitioning that Kennesaw attorney Rebecca Keaton be bounced from contention for breaking ballot rules, which stipulate that a candidate must certify their running mate with county probate court on the day of qualifying.

Keaton qualified on May 24, but only disclosed to Cobb Probate Court the name of Jason Shepherd as her running mate on May 25, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. She later amended her ticket with a new chief deputy candidate.

“It is not filed the same date that Ms. Keaton qualified,” Carvalho wrote in his challenge, which officials are slated to consider Monday. “Accordingly, it should not be considered a proper certification.”

Shepherd disclosed last month to friends and family in a Facebook message that Keaton had selected a new running mate, but said he would remain a supporter.

“Last Friday before qualifying ended, Rebecca Keaton decided to take a different direction in her campaign and I am no longer running with her for Chief Deputy Clerk,” Shepherd, a project attorney at King & Spalding in Atlanta, wrote. “I believe Rebecca needs to do what she believes in best, not only for her campaign, but also for the people of Cobb County. I continue to offer my endorsement of her campaign and wish her all the best on July 31.”

Cobb’s election board will also hear today a challenge to the candidacy of fellow clerk hopeful Joan Davis, who one resident said had defrauded the electorate by listing “attorney” as occupation in spite of being disbarred and tapping as a running mate another without their consent or support.

- James Richardson