Charlie Bethel

Bethel was born in Athens, Georgia. He earned a B.S. in management from the University of Georgia in 1998 and his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2001.[4]

Bethel's career experience includes running a private law practice and working as a lawyer for Minor, Bell & Neal. He also clerked for two years for Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. He served on the Georgia Court of Appeals from 2017 to 2018. Gov. Deal appointed Bethel to the court of appeals November 9, 2016, to succeed Judge Michael P. Boggs.[5] He took the bench on January 1, 2017, and was elected to the seat in the general election on May 22, 2018.

Charlie Bethel did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteBethel's campaign website stated the following:Charlie Bethel brings a unique set of experiences to his service on the Georgia Supreme Court.Charlie’s legal career began with service as a law clerk on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia for Justice Charles A. Pannell, Jr. Upon completion of his clerkship, Charlie returned home to Northwest Georgia where he practiced law in Dalton and spent over a decade in the flooring industry in executive and legal capacities.While maintaining his day job, Charlie was elected to serve as an Alderman for the City of Dalton and later served three terms in the Georgia State Senate. In the Senate, he successfully carried legislation on a broad array of topics and counts the passage of comprehensive juvenile justice reform legislation and autism insurance reform legislation (commonly referred to as “Ava’s Law”) as the high points of his legislative service.Charlie again answered the call of public service when Governor Nathan Deal appointed him to be a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals in 2016. Upon the retirement of former Chief Justice Harris Hines, Governor Deal appointed Charlie as a Justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia on September 4, 2018.Throughout his years on the bench, Charlie has been faithful both to the law and his oath of office. He understands that judges must set aside their personal preferences in deciding each case before them and that they must follow the law, even when the outcome may be unpopular.Born in Athens, Charlie was raised in Dalton, a place he and his family still call home. He and his wife, Lynsey, have three children and are active members of the First Baptist Church of Dalton.— Charlie Bethel's campaign website (May 4, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Charlie Bethel did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Bethel's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[20]

Limited constitutional government

Excerpt: "Senator Bethel is a principled conservative. His fundamental guiding principles include a belief in governing in accordance with the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions, support for the government closest to the people as opposed to central authority, low taxes, and free markets."

Integrity

Excerpt: "Charlie knows having strong, enforceable ethics laws are crucial to protecting public trust."

Jobs and the economy

Excerpt: "Low taxes, limited regulation, quality educational opportunities, and high quality infrastructure are the key elements of success. Senator Bethel believes that when our families, friends, and neighbors have good paying jobs they are able to provide for their families and contribute to the community well being."

Responsible governing

Excerpt: "Charlie knows the Georgians he represents expect their government to provide the services they need in an efficient and responsible manner, and that government should live within its means like we do."

Protecting our conservative values

Excerpt: "As our state senator, Charlie Bethel embraces the responsibility to protect our conservative values from the overreach of special interest groups and the federal government, and to defend those who can’t defend themselves."