Title: Brad Rigby Runs Unopposed in Two Elections Since 2016 Appointment

Brad Rigby, the incumbent District Attorney for the Cordele Judicial Circuit, is facing a challenger for the first time since being appointed to the position in 2016. Rigby, who has run unopposed in two previous elections, will appear on the May 2026 primary ballot against Lyndsey Walters, a criminal and civil attorney from Ben Hill County. The race covers voters in Crisp, Dooly, Ben Hill, and Wilcox counties.

The Cordele Judicial Circuit has drawn public attention due to a significant backlog of criminal cases. An open records request revealed more than 4,200 unindicted or pending cases across the four counties as of February 2026. Ben Hill County accounted for over 1,400 of these cases, Crisp County for more than 1,800, Dooly County for over 500, and Wilcox County for more than 300.

Lyndsey Walters has criticized the case backlog, stating it does not reflect a strong commitment to public safety. “This does not send a strong message that we’re tough on crime,” Walters said. “That’s just not sustainable. We need to get those numbers lower. We need to prosecute cases and offenders quicker and more efficiently.” Walters also noted her professional background includes directing a program that uses mediation and neutral evaluation to resolve disputes outside traditional court proceedings.

In response, Brad Rigby emphasized that the issuance of a warrant does not automatically mean a case is ready for prosecution. He cited various legal and procedural reasons for case delays, including the need for independent review by his office to determine whether prosecution is warranted. Rigby also pointed to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime lab backlog as a contributing factor, noting that in March 2025, the GBI Crime Lab had nearly 42,000 unworked reports.

Rigby was appointed as District Attorney in 2016 and has since faced no opposition in subsequent elections. His upcoming primary challenge marks the first electoral contest for the office since his initial appointment. The May 2026 primary will determine the Republican nominee for the Cordele Circuit District Attorney position, with the winner advancing to the general election.