Updated 12:04 p.m. on May 16

In a news release emailed on May 16, Judge M. Anthony Baker said he would not run for superior court judge.

"After much consideration and debate, Judge Baker has decided he can continue to best serve the citizens and juveniles of Cherokee County by remaining in his current position as Juvenile Court Judge," the release said.

Original story follows:

Juvenile Court Judge M. Anthony “Tony” Baker of Canton announced on Tuesday his campaign for Cherokee County Superior Court judge.

The man currently in that seat, Chief Judge Frank Mills, will not seek re-election after three decades on the bench.

“I feel that this is the opportunity to run for the open seat created by Judge Mills’ retirement,” Baker said in a statement.

First, he must face Woodstock attorney Mark Shriver, who also wants the seat.

"With my experience as a local trial lawyer and my past five and one-half years as juvenile court judge, I am ready for the challenges that await me as a superior court judge,” Baker said.

A Cherokee High graduate with degrees from the University of Georgia and Mercer Law School, Baker was appointed to the juvenile court in 2007.

Among other community affiliations, the married father of two serves on the Council of Juvenile Court Judges, the Council’s Delinquency Committee, the Chattahoochee Technical College Advisory Board and the Joseph Daniel Foundation board.

For the text of Baker's announcement, open the attached PDF.

For more local news, sign up for the free Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.