After months of consideration, columnist and former state representative Steve Flowers has announced that he will not make a run for the office of probate judge in 2018.

“I appreciate the encouragement from Pike Countians and I love the folks of my county,” Flowers said. “However, the position is more clerical and administrative than when I was a boy growing up here. I really enjoy what I’m doing and can be more helpful and more effectively impact public policy in the state as a columnist and commentator for Alabama politics.

“I have somewhat gravitated to being the state’s political historian. Probably about one third of my weekly columns are historical in nature. My column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers with a circulation approaching 400,000 as well as another 100,000 online readers weekly.

“There are plans in the works to begin a Center for Alabama Political History which I would direct. This route I’ve taken over the last 15 years is more rewarding at this time of life. And I’m 66 years old and don’t have many more shopping days to Christmas.”

Flowers said he has spoken with two other candidates for the position that he believes will run now that he has decided not to pursue the seat.

Local attorney Michael Bunn is the only candidate currently campaigning for the seat.