Governor Invokes Review Authority Following Charges Against Legislator, State Rep. Sharon Henderson

ATLANTA, GA – As Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol for the start of the 2025 legislative session, District 113 State Representative Sharon Henderson (D-Covington) is facing a formal review that could temporarily remove her from the General Assembly.

Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order appointing a three-member commission to determine whether Henderson’s recent federal indictment “relates to and adversely affects the administration of duties” of her office. The move comes several weeks after the governor’s office received a copy of the indictment.

The review commission consists of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, and Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II. Under state law, the panel has 14 days to meet and submit a recommendation to the governor on whether Henderson should be suspended from legislative service while her case is pending.

While the governor typically follows the commission’s recommendation, he is not legally bound to do so and retains discretion over both the decision and the length of any suspension. A suspension during the legislative session could leave District 113 without representation during a critical period of lawmaking.

Henderson was indicted in December on two counts of theft of government funds and 10 counts of making false statements. She has pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10,000 bond. Her attorney, Gerald A. Griggs, said Henderson expects to receive full due process in both criminal proceedings and any related legislative action.

Federal prosecutors allege Henderson improperly received unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim she has publicly denied. In a social media post following her indictment, Henderson said she was “confused and shocked” by the charges and maintained her innocence.

The case remains pending in federal court. Henderson’s seat is up for reelection later this year, and it remains unclear whether she will seek another term as the review process moves forward.