Summerford announces bid for 9th Judicial Circuit district attorney's race

Summer McWhorter Summerford will seek the Republican nomination for 9th Judicial Circuit district attorney.

Summerford currently is deputy district attorney for the circuit; District Attorney Mike O’Dell announced he won't seek re-election.

“My entire career has prepared me for this position and I am confident that I will serve the 9th Judicial (Circuit) with honor and integrity and be the kind of district attorney of which the voters of DeKalb and Cherokee counties will be proud," she said.

Summerford graduated from Cedar Bluff High School, attended Auburn University and received a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law.

She served as a clerk in the violent crimes division of the state attorney general’s office before starting her own legal firm in 2009. She joined the district attorney’s office in 2018 and was promoted to deputy district attorney in 2020.

“I believe that the law should apply equally to everyone, but if you break the law, you should be prepared to deal with the consequences,” Summerford said. “Law-abiding people should not have to live in fear of criminals walking the streets.”

O'Dell said, “Summer is an incredible lady who is younger and more energetic and is of impeccable character and integrity. She is an outstanding prosecutor that has the dedication and passion needed to be the next D.A.

Summerford noted her respect for law enforcement officers. Her husband, Josh Summerford, is chief deputy sheriff in Cherokee County. “The men and women in blue put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," she said. "I never forget that.”

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Cherokee-DeKalb deputy district attorney Summerford seeks office