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Segrest

Segrest announces candidacy for circuit judge

Staff Report

Mike Segrest has announced that he has officially qualified for the seat of Circuit Judge for the 5th Judicial Circuit, Place Number 2. The 5th circuit is comprised Chambers, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa Counties.

Mike is a resident of Shorter in Macon County with his wife Traci Hall Segrest and is the father of three;  Forrest (20), Fischer (16) and Steele (15). He is a graduate of Tallassee High School, Faulkner University and the Birmingham School of Law.

Mike is the son of Judge Dale Segrest, who served as circuit judge in the same seat for 18 years from 1983 until 2001, when he retired as a judge after being unseated by Judge Tom Young who announced last month that he will be retiring after 18 years on the bench at the end this term. The elder Segrest was elected with opposition in 1982 and 1988 then was unopposed in 1994 before being beat by a little over 200 votes over four counties in the 2000 election.

One might think the younger Segrest desire to run for the seat might be fueled by animus towards Judge Young for defeating his father 18 years ago, but Mike said nothing could be further from the truth.

“I remember sitting there that night with my dad when the votes came in and we saw that he had come up a little short,” Mike said. “I asked what he wanted to do and his response was quick. He was ready to see what the Lord had in store for him next.”

Dale went into private practice and five years later Mike went to work for him and decided to go to law school.

“As it turns out it was as much about what the Lord had in store for me as it was my Dad. I got to try more first jury trial with my dad in Wedowee in front of Judge Young. Judge Young has always been great to me. I have nothing but respect for both of them.”

Mike also said Judge Young called him personally last month the day the news of his retirement was coming out in the newspaper to let him know that he was retiring.

“I had talked to Judge Young early in the fall and asked what his plans were. He told me he just hadn’t made his mind up, but when he did he promised to let me know - and he did. It was that morning I decided to run. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for Judge Young next too. He said he has no intentions of sitting at home and he loves the law and people too much for that.”

As for his father, who turns 76 in April, Dale said he is looking forward to slowing down some but doesn’t think he will ever quit because he loves the law profession too much as well.

“He will make jokes about someone his age shouldn’t buy bananas that aren’t ripe yet let alone take on new cases but as long as he can help someone he will. That’s just the way he is,” Mike said. “I have been so lucky and blessed to have him as mentor and resource for the last 10 years. If anyone deserves to slow down and enjoy it is him….but not until this campaign is over.”

Anyone looking for more information, to volunteer or donate to the campaign can contact campaign chairperson Teresa Huff at the Segrest Law firm at 334-252-0036. Huff, a resident of Jackson’s Gap in Tallapoosa County, first went to work for Judge Segrest as his judicial assistant in 1985. 

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