Former Rockdale District Attorney Robert Mumford announced Monday he would be running for the Rockdale County Superior Court Judge, kicking off the 2012 race for the non-partisan position.

Mumford, who also served in the State House of Representatives for two terms, will run for the position currently held by Judge Sidney Nation, Sr., who will not be running for reelection next year.

"I really think its important for us to have a strong judiciary," Mumford told the News. "I think I have what people will be looking for in a judge."

That quality, he believes, is experience.

Mumford, of the firm Mumford and Myers in Conyers, was elected as District Attorney three times, in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and appointed to the Superior Court Bench by Governor Zell Miller in 1993. He was also was recently appointed Municipal Court Judge for the city of Porterdale. 

Mumford also served on the Nancy Guinn Library Board as chairman, as a member of the Rockdale Council for the Arts, and as President of the Rockdale Bar Association. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia.

In a released statement, Mumford said, "I believe my legal, judicial, and legislative experience will give voters confidence in my ability to serve them in this important office."

He and his wife Bette Jo live in north Rockdale County. They have one son, Beau Mumford, and are members of Crossroads United Methodist Church.

"Robert spent most of his adult life serving this county either as a public servant or volunteer," said Ian Lee Caraway, Mumford's campaign chairman. "People know they can trust Robert Munford to be everything a judge should be - impartial and efficient with tax payer resources.

"One thing that will separate Robert from the other candidates is experience. He has sat in every chair in the court room as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge. If he's elected he'll be preared to serve the public the moment he takes office."