Hartselle O’Reilly Auto Parts manager and Somerville Mayor Darren Tucker has pitched his hat in the ring as a candidate for the Morgan County Circuit Clerk position currently held by John Pat Orr.

The office is up for election in 2012 and Orr has announced he does not plan to seek reelection.

Tucker said he’s seeking the Republication Party nomination and will make his candidacy official next month when the Morgan County Republican Party Executive Committee begins taking applications.

I’ve thought about holding the office for some time,” Tucker said, “but I recognized the good job John Pat has done and I had no thoughts about running against him. That changed in a hurry, however, when he decided not to run again.”

“I feel my background in business and government has qualified me for the demands of the job and I look forward to getting out and meeting people and asking them to give me the honor and privilege of working for them as a public servant.”

Tucker, 47, is a native of Morgan County, a graduate of Hartselle High School and a veteran pubic official and businessman.

He has managed O’Reilly Auto Parts for nine years and previously was employed with the former T&T Auto Parts in Hartselle for 15 years. He was elected to Somerville’s Town Council seven years ago and was appointed mayor after Ray Long was elected chairman of the Morgan County Commission in November 2010. Prior to joining the council Tucker served as a member for Somerville Area Volunteer Emergency Services (S.A.V.E.S.).

Tucker is a member and deacon of Somerville Baptist Church where he serves as an adult Sunday school teacher.

He also is a member of the North-Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments, a member of the Business and Education Board of Brewer High School, chairperson of the Joe Wheeler EMC Selection/Credentials Committee and a member of Somerville Civitan Club.

He and his wife Roxanne, who is co-owner of Salon 67, reside in Somerville. They have two daughters, Darian, 17, and Rachel, 15. They are students at Cornerstone Christian School in Decatur.