On Friday, August 1, 2025, Mississippi Free Press reported that Carlos Moore, a suspended civil rights attorney and former judge, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to represent Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. This announcement comes less than a year after the Mississippi Supreme Court permanently barred him from serving as a judge.

Moore, who is running as a Democrat, will compete against the incumbent Representative David Scott, who has held the position since 2003. In addition to Scott, eight other Democratic candidates are also vying for the seat. In a video announcement, Moore criticized Scott, expressing his desire to be a more present and engaged leader.

The Mississippi Bar Complaint Tribunal suspended Moore from practicing law in Mississippi for one year on December 31, 2024, due to allegations of improper handling of a wrongful death settlement. The complaint indicated that Moore deposited $300,000 from the settlement into his law firm’s client trust account instead of directing the funds to the victim’s estate.

Shortly after the suspension, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled to permanently disqualify Moore from judicial duties, citing comments he made on social media that condemned the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse related to the 2021 Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to this ruling, Moore had resigned from his municipal judge positions in Grenada and Clarksdale, stating that he had moved to Atlanta and joined a law firm.

When asked about his legal troubles, Moore acknowledged his imperfections but highlighted that he has no felony convictions, contrasting himself with former President Donald Trump, who has faced multiple legal challenges. Moore stated that he believes voters are looking for experienced and resilient leaders during critical times.

The Mississippi Supreme Court’s majority opinion detailed that Moore violated a previous agreement with the Commission on Judicial Performance, which restricted him from making certain social media comments while serving as a judge. The court emphasized the need for public confidence in the judiciary and deemed Moore’s actions as detrimental to that trust.

Moore has been involved in several notable legal cases, representing clients in high-profile incidents, including police shootings and civil rights violations. His background includes being the first in his family to attend college, overcoming significant odds to become a civil rights attorney and judge.

Despite his recent legal issues, Moore did not address his law license suspension or his lifetime judicial ban in his campaign announcement.

 

 

Source: Mississippi Free Press