A vacancy in the Fifth Judicial Circuit will be filled this year with the election of a new judge. Veteran Judge Tom Young chose not to seek re-election in 2018, creating the opening. There’s one Democrat and one Republican that have qualified for the position. They will meet in the November General Election.

On the Republican side, Isaac Whorton of Valley is giving up a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives to seek the office. In campaign stops throughout the circuit, he’s said that being a judge has been a lifetime goal of his.

“With the retirement of Judge Young, I have the opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream and to hopefully serve the area that I grew up in and live in as an elected judge,” he said

Isaac is the grandson of the late W.W. Whorton, who was the first principal at Valley High School.

“My family raised me to put education at the top of my priority list, right alongside God and family,” he said.

Whorton was elected to the Alabama House, representing District 38, in 2014. He captured over 56 percent of the vote to defeat Randy Price in the Republican primary. He was unopposed in the general election.

Whorton and his wife Macy have three children. Macy is employed by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and is an instructor in women’s self-defense classes.

In his campaigns for the state legislature, Whorton emphasized the need for limited government, improving public education, gunowner rights and was pro-life.

He has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

Mike Segrest is an attorney with a practice in Tallassee. He lives in Macon County and is the son of Dale Segrest, a former circuit judge.

“Judge Young was always good to me,” he said. “I got to try my first jury trial with my dad in Wedowee in front of Judge Young. He was always great to me. I have nothing but respect for both of them.”

“I am so lucky to have had my dad as my mentor,” he said. “He has been a great resource for me in the legal profession. If anyone deserves to slow down and enjoy life it’s him… but not until this campaign is over.”

Mike graduated from the Birmingham School of Law in 2011 and has been practicing law since 2012. He also has a degree in Management of Human Resources from Faulkner University. Prior to going to law school he spent 13 years in the insurance industry. He is married and the father of three sons, Forrest, Fischer and Steele.