Wagoner to run for judge in Rowan

U.S. Attorney Anna Mills Wagoner announced Wednesday she will seek the Rowan County Superior Court seat being vacated by retiring Judge John Holshouser.

Wagoner, of Salisbury, said in a press release that she has advised President Barack Obama and the U.S. attorney general she would be resigning to pursue the judicial office in Rowan.

Wagoner was already due to be replaced as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

The Obama Administration last week nominated Wake County Superior Court Judge Ripley Rand to succeed Wagoner, who was appointed during the administration of Republican President George W. Bush.

Rand was recommended by Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagen.

Wagoner has served as U.S. attorney for North Carolina’s Middle District since 2001. Prior to that appointment, she had been a District Court judge in Rowan County for 11 years, including seven as chief District Court judge.

Wagoner said in the press release that serving as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the 24-county Middle District “has been a tremendous honor and privilege.”

“However, my home and my heart have remained in Rowan County throughout my years as U.S. Attorney.”

Because Rowan is in the Middle District, Wagoner said, “I have continued to work with all levels of law enforcement and the citizens of our county as my office prosecuted federal crimes from our county.

“The lessons learned as U.S. Attorney have given me a tremendous working knowledge of the state and federal court system as well as current law enforcement and legal issues facing our country and Rowan County.

“I would be honored to continue serving Rowan County as its next Superior Court judge,” Wagoner said in the press release.

Wagoner was an attorney in Salisbury for five years before being elected a District Court judge. She received her law degree from Wake Forest University Law School and a bachelor’s in English from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. She attended Peace College in Raleigh and is a Salisbury City Schools graduate.

She is married to Edward William Wagoner. They have two children, Anna Gregory Wagoner of Raleigh and Walter Price Wagoner II of Salisbury.

Wagoner is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury.

Holshouser has said he will retire at the end of August. Judges are required to retire in the month they turn 72 years old. A special election will be held to replace him.

Rowan County District Court Judge Marshall Bickett has also announced he will run for the office.

Filing for the office ends Monday at 5 p.m. Candidates file at the N.C. State Board of Elections in Raleigh.