Republican Tim Anderson has announced he will run for the newly created second Cole County associate circuit judge position.
This court is scheduled to start hearing cases in January.
"I was honored to compete in 2018 in the race for the associate circuit judge opening," Anderson said in a news release. "I appreciated the opportunity to run a spirited and exhaustingly enjoyable race with Cotton Walker, but Cotton won, and he's doing, by all accounts, an excellent job as Judge Cotton Walker."
Anderson also ran for Jefferson City municipal judge last April.
"We live in challenging days and we will, individually and collectively, face many new challenges in the days and weeks to come, but we are blessed to live in a community where we look after, and care for, our fellow citizens," Anderson said. "While we will again be tested - as we were by the tornado roaring through our communities last year - I am confident we will, with God's help, exhibit the strength of character, commitment, and care for our fellow man, needed to overcome these challenges."
Anderson served as an assistant attorney general for Missouri for 29 years, prosecuting various crimes like murder, assault and drug-related cases.
"Few things seem less important to me than an 'announcement of candidacy' for a judicial position," Anderson added. "Suffice it to say, at this point, that I will hope to visit with as many of you as possible when the current situation passes, and life - be it baseball, picnics, family gatherings, or congregating together in our churches - returns to normal."
Four other candidates have filed to run for this position: Republicans Brian Stumpe, Todd Smith and Matt Willis and Democrat Scott Evans.
The primary election is Aug. 4, and the general election is Nov. 3.