A Fulton County Superior Court judge on Monday rejected efforts by two would-be candidates to reinstate an election for Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell’s seat, and upheld Gov. Brian Kemp’s right to appoint a replacement.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Emily Richardson handed down two orders rejecting petitions for writs of mandamus sought by Athens attorney and former U.S. Rep. John Barrow and Beth Beskin, a partner at the Atlanta offices of Freeman Mathis & Gary, after both were prevented from qualifying to run for Blackwell’s seat on May 19.