VIDALIA — At the close of qualifying for the Nov. 4 election Friday, a 24-year judge had decided to sit the election out.

Three candidates are now vying for his seat.

Seventh Judicial District Court Division B Judge Leo Boothe, 72, faced mandatory retirement because of his age this election — the state requires judges to retire at 70 or at the end of a term in which they turn 70 — but said earlier this summer he might run anyway.

A constitutional amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot may repeal the age restriction for judges, and Boothe said at the time he could run on the hope the measure would pass.

The judge said Friday the possibility the measure might not pass and the fact his retirement pay would be the same as judicial pay helped him make his decision.

“I really appreciate the strong support I have received since I have been judge and when I was contemplating running this time,” Boothe said. “I enjoy my job, but I have other things in my life I want to do.

“I have had a good run. I have children in school, I run a farm and cattle operation and other interests, and I want to back off and rest a little while.”

Those who have qualified to run for Boothe’s seat include Jack H. McLemore Jr., D-Vidalia, Ronnie O. McMillin, D-Vidalia and John Reeves, D-Jonesville.

Division A Judge Kathy Johnson, D-Jonesville, faces no opposition in the election. Reeves ran against Johnson in 2008.

District Attorney Brad Burget will face no opposition in the election, and sitting school board members Fred T. Butcher, Mary Campbell, Raymond T. Riley Sr., Cheryl Probst and Warren S. Enterkin will be elected unopposed.

School board candidate John Bostic likewise has no challengers.

School board races with contenders include:

• For District 3A, Damon Knapp, R-Vidalia and Ricky Lee Raven Sr., Ind.-Vidalia

• For District 4A, Ronnie Bradford, R-Ferriday and Ron Walter, D-Ferriday

• For District 4B, Jeffery Goodman, Ind.-Ferriday and Bettie Johnson, D-Ridgecrest.

Two justice of the peace races are contested. They include:

• In district 1, Justin Conner, D-Ferriday and Benja R. Fussell, R-Ferriday

• In district 4, Harvey L. Burns, D-Ferriday and Jerry Stallings, D-Ferriday.

Justice of the peace candidates who will be elected unopposed include district 2, Kevin Friloux; district 3, Russell Wagoner; and district 5A, Charles E. “Charlie” White.

No candidate qualified for justice of the peace in district 5B.

One constable’s race is contested, in district 5A. The candidates are John Cowan, Ind.-Ferriday and Jerry Emfinger, D-Ferriday.

Constable candidates who face no challenger include in district 1, Michael Kelly; district 2, Rickey Hollins; district 3, Susan Rabb; district 4, George W. Sewell; and district 5B, Jerry Lipsey.