Circuit Court District 14 Place 2 Judge Mike Smith announced hisretirement after more than 12 years Friday, only hours before thequalifying deadline for the 2006 elections.

“I’m proud to have been able to serve and I appreciate beingelected,” Smith, of McComb, said Friday afternoon.

The judge, known for his stiff sentences and oftentimes colorfulcomments, said he had no real plans for the immediate future.

“I want to do a lot more fishing and go on vacation a bit more,”Smith said. “I have a lot I want to do.”

His advice to those running to replace him on the bench wassimple. “Do what you think is right,” Smith said.

His partner on the District 14 bench, Circuit Judge Mike Taylor,of Brookhaven, said Smith’s absence will be noticed.

“I certainly have appreciated everything Judge Smith has done tohelp me get adjusted to the job,” Taylor said. “We’re certainlygoing to miss him.”

Taylor was appointed as a circuit judge in February 2005 whenformer Circuit Judge Keith Starrett was appointed as a federaljudge. Taylor is unopposed for the Place 1 post.

Taylor said he is relieved that he is unopposed in his firstcampaign to reclaim the Circuit Court District 14 Place 1 post.

“I’m glad I’m going to have the opportunity to continue as oneof the circuit judges and I look forward to serving another term,”he said.

The deadline for candidates seeking judicial posts for circuit,chancery and county courts and the Court of Appeals to qualify forthe Nov. 7 general election was Friday. A run-off election will beheld Nov. 21, if necessary.

Mississippi judicial elections are nonpartisan.

Two candidates qualified to replace Smith in the Place 2 post.David H. Strong Jr. and Michael T. Shareef are both McCombattorneys. Strong has a private practice and Shareef is a legalservices attorney.

Also running unopposed is incumbent R.I. “Rip” Pritchard, ofPicayune, for Circuit Court District 15 Place 1.

A decision by Circuit Judge Michael R. Eubanks to retire afterat least 25 years on the bench has opened up a three-way campaignfor the 15th Circuit Court District Place 2 post. Forest M. Dantin,of Columbia, James L. “Jim” Gray, of Picayune, and Manya CreelBryan, of Carriere, have qualified for that race.