District Attorney Danny Smith announced Friday that he will notseek election this year as the chief prosecutor for the 14thCircuit Court District that covers Lincoln, Pike and Walthallcounties.

In discussing his decision, Smith cited financial considerationsand his over 18 years with the office. Prior to joining the office,he served as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps.

“My instincts tell me it’s time to move on,” Smith said.

Smith, 53, was appointed district attorney by Gov. RonnieMusgrove in September 2001 after former DA Dunn Lampton was namedU.S. Attorney. Smith was unopposed in a November 2002 specialelection to fill the remainder of Lampton’s term, which goesthrough the end of 2003.

Smith said his focus now is on handling a heavy case load in thethree-county district.

“My immediate future is that I’ve got a long, hard year ahead,”Smith said.

Smith said he may run for another elected office, although hedid not identify which one. He also said he is considering a returnto private practice.

“I’m looking at several options,” Smith said.

While he is leaving the DA’s office, Smith hopes that he will beleaving it in good hands after this year’s election. He said theoffice requires the skills of an experienced prosecutor and someonewith good management abilities.

“In the 18 years I’ve been here, this office has changeddramatically,” Smith said.

Smith said the office staff had increased from four when hestarted to 14 now. He also indicated that staff members are workingmore days and longer hours than when he started.

“Ten hour days are common,” Smith said.

Smith’s decision leaves Nelson Estess as the only qualifier inthe district attorney race. Estess qualified Thursday in theDemocratic primary for the office.

Estess, 28, of Magnolia, is an assistant prosecutor with thedistrict attorney’s office in Hattiesburg. He previously workedwith attorney Wayne Dowdy in private practice.

Over the last few months, Estess said he had receivedencouragement to run for district attorney. With a father who is aretired Mississippi Highway Patrol investigator, Estess said he hadalways been interested in law enforcement and wanted to pursue acareer as a officer or as a prosecutor.

“This was an opportunity for me to be closer to home and do whatI love to do,” Estess said about his candidacy.

Since the court district covers multiple counties, districtattorney candidates must qualify at party headquarters at the statelevel. There have been no Republican qualifiers for the DA’soffice.

The qualifying deadline is Feb. 28.

The first party primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 5.Party primary runoffs, where necessary, will be held Tuesday, Aug.26.

Party primary winners will go on to face each other in thegeneral election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.