Mike Smith, Brownwood attorney, has announced plans to run for 35th District Judge when time comes to file later this year.  Smith has been in private law practice in Brownwood since 2010 and is a 1990 graduate of Brownwood High School.  In his statement to KOXE/KBWD News, Smith said “over the last couple of years there has been some speculation about what Judge Steve Ellis, who is current Judge of the 35th Judicial District, what his plans were.   He had publicly stated that he was going to retire but these things can change.  I went over and visited with him a couple of times to just let him know that I was interested in running if he were, in fact, to retire.  He confirmed to me privately that he was and knows that I’m going public with this,” Smith said.  “I just feel it’s my time to take a shot at it and make my case to Brown and Mills county voters,” Smith said.

He moved to Brownwood in 1976 at the age of 5.  He earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Abilene Christian University and worked in the children’s mental health field for several years before attending law school. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2009 and moved back to Brownwood where he has represented clients in criminal and civil matters.