After 30 years of public service, Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr. announced Thursday at noon that he would not seek re-election in November.

“It’s just time,” Tyson said of his eventual departure as he stood close to his wife, Beth during a press conference in Government Plaza.

Tyson, 57, a Democrat, who was recently appointed by Republican Gov. Bob Riley to head the State’s Illegal Gambling Task Force, said he had been considering hanging up his DA’s hat before being named to his newest title. He will remain committed to his role as Mobile County District Attorney while also traveling when necessary to carry out the enforcement of illegal gambling operations in Alabama, he said.

Tyson said he had quietly begun telling friends and supporters about his impending decision weeks ago and one particularly prophetic reaction seemed to resonate at his press conference.

When he told his preacher about the decision, he recalled, which he was still only considering at the time, his preacher assured him “something will turn up.” Three days later, while watching a football game, Tyson received a call from the governor’s office, he said chuckling. Tyson said he immediately felt his duty to answer the governor’s call, but consulted his wife before committing to the new role.

“You’re not just asking me, you’re asking her, too,” Tyson told Riley.

As for Tyson’s immediate future, he said his double role would keep him busy, especially since the DA’s office is now operating with roughly 25 fewer employees when compared to this time last year. As a result of budget and staffing cuts, he said there’s a lot of “hands-on” management to be accomplished before leaving office in November.

After the conclusion of this upcoming November’s election, Tyson said, he looks forward to spending time with his family and assured members of the media he would find ways to stay busy.

Tyson began his career as a public servant by serving on the State Board of Education for 14 years, he said. He then served 16 years as Mobile County’s district attorney.

“We submitted our name on the ballots eight times and eight times the people of Mobile County have voted,” Tyson said.

Tyson addressed his staff earlier in the morning to inform them of his decision, which was met with a bittersweet tone, he said. DA office staffers were both sad and happy for him, he added. Tyson said he was proud of the work his staff has done during his tenure and stressed the importance of equality in enforcing the law.

Late last year, equality in enforcing the law became a point of contention among segments of Mobile’s population as DA’s office prosecutors sought to convict former Circuit Court Judge Herman Thomas for allegedly exchanging leniency in sentencing for sexual favors. Thomas was also accused of whipping and paddling prisoners.

Those who support Thomas, who is considered by some as a prominent political leader among the African-American community in Mobile, said the decision to prosecute him was simply a matter of racial vengeance because, before retiring, he had been the only African-American circuit court judge on the bench and was also at one time seeking the seat of presiding circuit court judge.

Prior to the Thomas trial, Tyson caught some heat in the African-American community for his prosecution of many employees of Bishop State Community College, most of whom were black.

New swimmer in the potential DA pool
Tyson’s announcement came only two hours before Assistant District Attorney Ashley Rich announced her bid fill Tyson’s office.

A 14-year veteran of the DA’s office, Rich announced her candidacy for district attorney as a Republican and based her announcement on fighting crime from all angles, her strong belief in the death penalty as a deterrent for criminals and her ability to perform the roles of both active prosecutor and administrative leader.

Rich said she would fight crime in neighborhoods, streets and the houses where problems begin because of the growing criminal youth population. Her platform also involves addressing prosecution issues at the state level, she said.

When asked if she would take more of a leadership role or continue to actively prosecute criminals, Rich said she thought she would feel comfortable in either role.

“I think I can do very well at both,” Rich said, adding that she would not shy away from personally prosecuting criminals because of leadership obligations.

Rich, if successful in her campaign, will likely walk into a DA’s office that’s experienced a depleted budget. She’s prepared to deal with securing a sufficient budget, she said.

“I’ll do everything in my power to receive the funding we (the DA’s office) need,” Rich said.

Rich would not say if she expects Tyson to support her, but instead noted that Tyson is the leader that allowed her to grow into the experienced prosecutor that she is today. Rich’s husband, who introduced the newly announced candidate, said her campaign would be one of “dedication, drive, energy and commitment.”

The current ADA will face fellow Republican and Attorney Mark Erwin, who announced his candidacy Sept. 24, 2009.

Erwin, Rich’s fellow Republican opponent, says he made the decision to run with no regard for the current DA’s actions. Erwin said the day’s events seem orchestrated.

“Both of today’s announcements, we’ve expected for quite some time,” Erwin said. “I did not wait to see if Mr. Tyson would be running for re-election. If people are happy with the way the DA’s office has been run for the past 14 years – 14 years which Mrs. Rich has been an employee of the DA’s office – then I suggest the people vote to promote from within.”

Erwin says his stance is based on new, fresh ideas. His experience as an attorney, a prosecutor and a judge – jobs he’s performed for a total of 11 years – will allow him to be the best possible DA. Erwin also noted his ability to take care of a potential administrative role including the recent budget shortfalls.

“If the people of Mobile County want change – which I believe they do – they should vote for me. I’m pledging my whole effort to the safety of the people of Mobile County,” Erwin said. “Through my experience with the Mobile County Commission, the Strickland Youth Center, the Mobile County Public Works Department and the city of Creola and the city of Saraland, I believe my legal ability is proven. And, in my role of owning a legal practice, I know how to make a budget, hire employees and run an office correctly.”