After nearly 21 years on the bench, 7th Judicial Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III will retire next year when his current term of office ends Jan. 4, 2027.
A March 11 news release from the 7th Circuit said Rowe, who is the most senior sitting judge in the circuit, decided not to run for a fifth term and hopes that his early announcement will give attorneys who live in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties who may be interested in becoming a judge an opportunity to seek election this year to the position he will be vacating.
Rowe began his legal career as the first judicial staff attorney hired for the 7th Judicial Circuit, working for judges in Flagler and Volusia counties, then became assistant county attorney for Volusia County.
After nearly 12 years in that position, in December 2005, Rowe was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to fill a new circuit judge position in Volusia County.
With Rowe vacating his seat, the position will be on the November ballot along with other judicial elections statewide.