The Director of Elections in Washington County has announced that qualifying for the special election to replace former State Court Solicitor Michael Howard will begin at 9:00 on August 10 and run through noon on August 12. A special election will be held on November 3.

Howard resigned a year ago amid allegations of unjustly dismissing multiple DUI cases. Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tripp Fitzner recused himself from the case, and it was assigned to Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards.

Earlier this month, Edwards said he would not prosecute Howard stating that there was a lack of sufficient evidence to ethically and credibly bring charges against Howard to a Grand Jury.

Following Howard’s resignation in July 2025, Gov. Kemp appointed Carl Cansino to serve as the Interim Washington County Solicitor General.