Jefferson County voters Tuesday will elect a new judge for Circuit Court Nov. 5 as two candidates vie for the open Place 13 seat.

The contenders are Democrat Frederic A. Bolling and Republican Douglas M. Roy Jr.

The winner will fill the seat currently held by Judge Carole Smitherman, who is retiring in January. The judge in this seat handles civil matters.

See more information about the Nov. 5 election here.

Roy is a graduate of the University of Alabama. He earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law of at Samford University in 2000. His private law practice focuses on personal injury, bankruptcy and divorce.

AL.com efforts to reach Roy before publication were unsuccessful.

Bolling has practiced law for 26 years. He is a graduate of Auburn University and Howard University School of Law.

He was appointed special circuit judge for Jefferson County in 2017. He also ran unsuccessfully for district court judge in 2018.

“As I look around, I try my best to fill the needs of the community,” Bolling said. “One thing that the community always needs is a judicial system that is prepared, qualified and experienced in the type of matters that will be heard so that people not only can get justice and get resolutions, but they can get it in a timely manner.”

Bolling said Jefferson County’s court system is already a well-run system. As a judge, he said he would focus on timely disposition of cases.

“Jefferson County’s judicial body has for years been highly respected,” he said. “It’s not about changing anything. It’s about maintaining and increasing the standing of quality service to the citizens.”

The new judge will take office in January.