DA Randall York to Run for Circuit Court Judge in 2014

District Attorney General Randall A. York , who serves DeKalb and six other counties in the 13th Judicial District, has decided to run for another office next year, instead of DA.
York announced Tuesday that he will be seeking the position of Circuit Court Judge, Part II, the seat currently being held by long time Judge John J. Maddux, Jr.
Judge Maddux announced last week that he is retiring from the bench and will not be seeking re-election in 2014.
York has served as District Attorney General for the 13th Judicial District for the last five years.
Governor Phil Bredesen appointed York as the District Attorney General in September 2008 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of William E. Gibson. York was elected in 2010 to fill the remaining four years of Gibson’s unexpired term.
York and his family reside in Crossville but his wife, Judy is originally from DeKalb County. “My wife is from Smithville, the former Judy Dodd. Her mother Genelle Dodd is from Liberty. I have two children, John and Anna,” he said.
In making his announcement, York said he gave it a lot of thought before deciding to run for the judgeship, rather than for District Attorney General.
“This decision to run for this office was not made lightly, but was made after considerable prayer and thought by me and my family,” General York said. “The decision to run for this office was a bittersweet decision. I am excited about the opportunity to run for this office and serve the people of the 13th Judicial District in a different capacity, but it is also a sad decision because I will be leaving my position as District Attorney General.”
In his time as DA, General York led the office as it became the first DA’s office to become digital, led efforts to establish the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center, helped establish the Upper Cumberland Drug Court and reestablished the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force.
“It has been an honor and privilege to hold this office for the past five years,” General York said. “Over the past five years, I have worked diligently to restore the integrity and dignity to the Office of the District Attorney General. I have had the opportunity to work with an incredible staff and cooperating agencies.”
York is licensed to practice in all Tennessee courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has served on the Executive Committee of the District Attorneys General Conference, currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Tennessee Bar Association and the Human Trafficking Task Force through the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and was appointed and served on the Tennessee Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee.
“I hope to follow in the tradition of great jurists that I have practiced before including Judge John Turnbull, Judge John Maddux, Judge Tom Hale, Judge Leon Burns and Chancellor Vernon Neal,” General York said. “I also look forward to serving with our existing judges and Chancellor.”