Franklin County assistant district attorney Jeff Barksdale has announced his intent to qualify for and seek the Republican nomination for district attorney of Franklin County.

Barksdale has served as the assistant district attorney for Franklin County since February 2014, giving him close to eight years of experience in the DA’s office and 15 years experience practicing criminal law overall.

As the sole ADA for Franklin County, Barksdale serves as a full–time felony and misdemeanor prosecutor under current district attorney Joey Rushing, who will be retiring after this current term.

During his tenure as ADA, Barksdale has settled thousands of cases, obtaining convictions and guilty pleas at all levels of criminal offenses, from DUIs and thefts to assaults and murders.

Barksdale said his time in the DA’s office as ADA has been excellent preparation for moving into the position of district attorney.

“The past eight years have given me the knowledge and experience I need to lead this office as the district attorney,” he said. “I have learned much from Joey, and as ADA, I’ve developed good working relationships with the law enforcement officers who risk their lives each day to keep Franklin County safe.

“I’m available 24/7 if any of them have legal questions or need assistance with search warrants or other matters.”

Barksdale is a lifelong resident of Franklin County, growing up in the Burnout community and graduating from Red Bay High School in 1998. Upon his graduation, he attended the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in computer science in 2002.

He was accepted into the University of Alabama School of Law, where he graduated with his law degree in 2006.

After his graduation from law school, Barksdale made the decision to return back to Franklin County to practice, operating a law office in Red Bay until accepting the position as ADA in 2014.

“Franklin County is home for me and always has been,” Barksdale said. “That’s a big part of why I’m seeking the position of district attorney. It has been an honor to serve my home county along with Joey and the other hard-working employees in the DA’s office, and becoming the district attorney would allow me to continue the work we’ve done.

“If elected, I plan to move cases through our local criminal justice system quickly and efficiently, securing rehabilitation for first-time drug offenders and prison sentences for repeat offenders and criminals who victimize the citizens of our county.”

Barksdale and his wife Mandy, who is an accounting instructor at the University of North Alabama, have resided in Russellville since they were married in 2010. They are members of Russellville First Baptist Church, where Barksdale also serves as a deacon.

“My Christian values influence all aspects of my life, including the job I do here at the DA’s office,” Barksdale said. “It is important to me to do what is right according to the law but also according to my beliefs.

“I will fight for all victims, from the unborn to the elderly.”

In the community, Barksdale is an active member of the Rotary Club, volunteers each month with the Meals on Wheels program and has served on the board of the Russellville City Schools Education Foundation. He and Mandy also enjoy traveling in their spare time.

“The decision to run for district attorney is one Mandy and I prayerfully considered for a long time,” he said. “It is my hope the citizens of Franklin County will see my passion and commitment to this job and to this community, and I look forward to meeting and speaking with as many of them as possible in the coming months.”