Interim General Sessions Judge Bill Locke got a boost in his campaign Monday night when he was endorsed as the Democratic candidate for the election in August.
The announcement came from Warren County Democratic Party chairman Charles Yancy following the caucus Monday night at the meeting of the local party chapter.
“It was a unanimous vote,” Yancy said, noting Locke was the only candidate placed into nomination and the only candidate to make an appearance at the Monday meeting.
The endorsement means Locke will be the only candidate allowed to run under the Democratic banner in the race for General Sessions Judge, with the remainder of candidates running as independents. The local Republican Party may also caucus and offer its nomination to one of the remaining candidates.
The nomination comes in the race to fill the bench vacated by Larry Ross, who retired in January after 13 years of service as judge. His retirement came a little over two years before the regular election for the seat, meaning a special election had to be called for this August.
The winner of the August election will serve the remaining two years left on Ross’ term before having to run again in 2014. Locke, who served as a prosecutor in the local district attorney’s office, was appointed to serve as interim judge in January by the Warren County Commission pending the August election.
Thus far in the process, Locke is among a field of five anticipated candidates. His likely opponents including Mary Little Pirtle, Jean Brock, Susan Martalla and Steve Roller. Pirtle took second in the county commission vote for interim judge. Martalla did not seek the appointment by the county commission, opting to wait to run in the election.