Brunessa is an Afro-Latina immigrant who moved to the United States from Panama as a child. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in government and Spanish from Western Kentucky University and a Master's of Public Administration
 (M.P.A.) from Kennesaw State University. She also received a certificate in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University. She is involved in Jack & Jill of America and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and has served as the GA State Social Action Coordinator. Brunessa and her husband Christopher, along with their four boys, live in Powder Springs. 

Brunessa began her career in the private sector as a sales professional. She served as an Outreach and Enrollment Specialist for Project Health Access through AmeriCorps and later worked for the Cobb County library system. Brunessa has also worked as an assistant to the Chairwoman of the Board of Commissioners and most recently, worked as an outreach coordinator for Senator Jon Ossoff.

Brunessa Elizabeth Drayton worked as the Northwest Georgia Outreach Coordinator in the Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. She also worked for the office of the Chairwoman of the Board of Commissioners in Cobb County. This is her first time running for political office.

Former Cupid assistant to run for Cobb Superior Court Clerk

Said, "I know the importance of a government that works for people and makes the most of our community’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Under my leadership, the Clerk’s office will solve problems instead of creating them."

- Said, "I know the importance of a government that works for people and makes the most of our community’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Under my leadership, the Clerk’s office will solve problems instead of creating them."

Budget

Said, "I envision a Clerk’s office that prioritizes a proactive approach to meeting the diverse needs of Cobb County residents... My Clerk’s office will be present in the community, educating and reestablishing trust and reliability in the court system... I will prioritize efficiency and staff retention in the Clerk’s office."

Said, "​The Clerk’s office should be accessible and efficient. My commitment is to establish accessible and clear channels of information, and empower the community to understand and engage with our judicial system."

Said, "As Clerk, I will restore and strengthen public trust in the integrity of our judicial system with my steadfast dedication to ethical conduct, accountability, and justice."

- Said, "I envision a Clerk’s office that prioritizes a proactive approach to meeting the diverse needs of Cobb County residents... My Clerk’s office will be present in the community, educating and reestablishing trust and reliability in the court system... I will prioritize efficiency and staff retention in the Clerk’s office."
- Said, "​The Clerk’s office should be accessible and efficient. My commitment is to establish accessible and clear channels of information, and empower the community to understand and engage with our judicial system."
- Said, "As Clerk, I will restore and strengthen public trust in the integrity of our judicial system with my steadfast dedication to ethical conduct, accountability, and justice."

Judicial Administration

As of June 24, 2025, Brunessa Elizabeth Drayton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

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Brunessa Elizabeth Drayton

Carole has been a resident of Cobb County since 1979. Carole is a graduate of Howard University and the mother of two sons. She was born in Washington, D.C.

Carole has worked for the Cobb courthouse since 2015 and has served in support roles for various judges and personnel.

Ballotpedia - Carole H Melton

Carole H Melton's campaign for Clerk of Superior Court in Cobb County is her first entry into politics, 

As of June 24, 2025, Carole H Melton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Carole’s calling to the mission of Clerk of Court is rooted in customer service... she is committed to restoring integrity, efficiency and service in the Clerk’s office through leadership and teamwork for all customers involved. Those customers are the judges and courthouse family, the litigants, and the public at large."

The candidate's website says, "She is committed to restoring integrity, efficiency, and service in the Clerk’s office through leadership and teamwork for all customers involved. Those customers are the judges and courthouse family, the litigants, and the public at large."

- The candidate's website says, "She is committed to restoring integrity, efficiency, and service in the Clerk’s office through leadership and teamwork for all customers involved. Those customers are the judges and courthouse family, the litigants, and the public at large."

Carole H Melton

Taylor holds both a bachelor's degree in international business and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the American Inter-Continental University. She resides in Cobb County, Georgia, and is a member of Shaw Temple AME Zion Church in Smyrna, Georgia. 

Connie is a licensed real estate broker in Georgia and Florida. She is also a licensed real estate instructor. She served as a grant manager for the City of Atlanta for 26 years. She also served as a loan program manager with the Bureau of Housing for three years and grant accountant for the City of Atlanta's Finance Department for two years. Currently, she serves as Clerk of the Superior Court in Cobb County, Georgia. 

Connie M. Taylor

Connie Mae Taylor is the Clerk of the Superior Court in Cobb County, Georgia. She was elected to this position in 2020 and has served one term. She was also elected as a Georgia House Representative in 2014 and served two terms.

As of June 24, 2025, Connie Mae Taylor’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Clerk facing backlash for filing backlog in Cobb County 

Received backlash from Cobb County community members including elected officials in 2023, claiming there has been a three-month backlog for online court filings.

Launched a new File Activity Notification System (FANS), which "enables property owners to monitor filing activity to help prevent fraud in real estate transactions."

According to her website, she cross-trained staff on all processes and procedures to improve overall service levels.

- Received backlash from Cobb County community members including elected officials in 2023, claiming there has been a three-month backlog for online court filings.
- Launched a new File Activity Notification System (FANS), which "enables property owners to monitor filing activity to help prevent fraud in real estate transactions."
- According to her website, she cross-trained staff on all processes and procedures to improve overall service levels.

Atlanta News First, Court clerk allegedly told worker to ‘Donald Trump’ passport fee records

Keeps 100% of passport application fees as personal compensation, which is legal to do. Gained over $400,000 over two years and is being investigated for trying to destroy related records.

- Keeps 100% of passport application fees as personal compensation, which is legal to do. Gained over $400,000 over two years and is being investigated for trying to destroy related records.

Connie Mae Taylor

AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Nicholas received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Hampton University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University. He resides in Acworth.

Nicholas is the Founder and Principal at njs2133, LLC. He has served as a former judicial aide at the Fulton County Superior Court and a former chief operations officer of the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk’s office. He has also worked for the New York State and New York City governments.

Former Cobb Superior Court Clerk candidate seeking same office

Nicholas J. M. Simpson ran for Clerk of Superior Court in Cobb County in 2020, but did not win.

Advocates for having the clerk "transfer all fees from processing passport applications to the county treasury."

- Advocates for having the clerk "transfer all fees from processing passport applications to the county treasury."

Wants to "[place] talented deputy clerks in key roles and [provide] extensive training to staff at every operational level" to reduce document processing backlog.

Plans to install a new records management system designed to combat cybersecurity threats.

Said, "I will implement an in-house property fraud detection system and require all real estate division employees to undergo extensive property fraud detection training to ensure the integrity of our county’s public records."

Supports spreading awareness of the Board of Equalization's process of mediating property tax disputes so homeowners can "combat unfair property tax assessments."

Believes that access to public real estate records should be restricted and only accessible to users that verify their identity.

- Wants to "[place] talented deputy clerks in key roles and [provide] extensive training to staff at every operational level" to reduce document processing backlog.
- Plans to install a new records management system designed to combat cybersecurity threats.
- Said, "I will implement an in-house property fraud detection system and require all real estate division employees to undergo extensive property fraud detection training to ensure the integrity of our county’s public records."
- Supports spreading awareness of the Board of Equalization's process of mediating property tax disputes so homeowners can "combat unfair property tax assessments."
- Believes that access to public real estate records should be restricted and only accessible to users that verify their identity.

As of June 24, 2025, Nicholas J M Simpson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Nicholas J M Simpson

The Superior Court Clerk is the official record keeper and legal administrator of the county, as they are responsible for receiving and maintaining criminal and civil court filings. They also manage the county’s land and property records. Their duties are numerous and include administrative tasks, like accounting and administering oaths, and judicial, like maintaining legal records. They can also potentially fill in for other roles, such as State Court Clerk and Passport Acceptance Agents.

Cobb Clerk of Superior Court, Democratic Primary

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Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct