State Court judge candidate opens campaign

ALBANY, Ga. — Victoria Darrisaw, a Dougherty County magistrate, has formally launched a campaign for State Court judge.

A rally was held Monday afternoon in the Chautauqua Room at Thronateeska Heritage Center in downtown Albany, where Darrisaw was greeted by supporters as she officially launched her campaign.

Albany attorney Chris Warren has also announced he is seeking the position of State Court judge as well.

Among those backing the Spelman College and Mercer University graduate Monday was Geraldine Hudley, a board member for the Albany Civil Rights Institute.

Hudley went on to describe the monthly meetings of the “Spelman women,” of which she and Darrisaw are a part.

“I’m certain you are aware that we sometimes call her Judge Darrisaw, Judge Vicki or Vicki,” she said. “She is soft-spoken, but firm. She has a quiet disposition, but she is strong.

“She is loyal, committed, and we are so fortunate that she has offered herself for service as judge on the state level.”

When it came to Darrisaw’s time to speak, she spoke of how she was encouraged to climb up the judicial ladder following word of Salter’s retirement.

“I ask for your vote and your support during this upcoming campaign,” she said. “In exchange for your vote and support, I will continue the tradition of excellent service, efficient administration and guarantee impartiality in court for everyone, in every case, every day with no exceptions.”

Darrisaw, the child of two Marines, grew up in Georgia. Following her graduation from Mercer, she worked as a law clerk to Judge Tommy Day Wilcox and Judge W. Louis Sands. When Sands became the federal district court judge for the Albany division, she went with him as a law clerk for another two years.

She served the next 12 years as an assistant district attorney, starting her career in Mitchell, Baker, Grady, Decatur and Calhoun counties. In 2000, she returned to Dougherty County and began prosecuting cases before Salter.

In 2009, Salter appointed her as a magistrate.

George Darrisaw Jr., the state court-hopeful’s husband, is a music specialist at Lamar Reese Elementary School. The couple have two children, both in the public school system.