Zarate wins special election to become clerk of ACC Superior and State Courts

Elisa Zarate

By Joe Johnson

Elisa Zarate, who for a half-year served as interim Clerk of Athens-Clarke County Superior and State Courts on Tuesday night won a special election to complete the unexpired term of her predecessor that ends over a year from now.

Winning 65-percent of the vote, the Democrat defeated unaffiliated candidate Andrew Griffeth, a deputy clerk with 10 years of experience in the office that Zarate oversees.

Zarate replaces Beverly Logan, who retired as clerk of courts on May 31 after over 30 years of service.

She will be sworn-in immediately after the special election is certified by the Georgia Secretary of State.

Classic City News is reporting unofficial election results as provided by Tim Denson, chairman of the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee.

According to Denson's unofficial totals, Zarate garnered 5,420 votes to Griffeth's 2,989 votes.

With Logan's retirement, Zarate had been appointed by ACC Probate Court Judge Susan Tate to fill Logan's position until the special election could be held.

At the time she was serving as administrator for the six courts comprising the Athens-Clarke County court system, a position she had held for three years. For seven years Zarate was program coordinator for the Treatment and Accountability Court.