By NICOLE LOGGINS/Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA — Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister will likely serve Shelby County for another six years after defeating challenger Tim Mitchell in the March 13 Republican primary election.

Fuhrmeister has served as Shelby County probate judge for one term.

He was appointed by former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley four years ago to complete the term of his wife, Patricia Fuhrmeister, following her death.

No Democratic candidates qualified to run for probate judge this year, so Fuhrmeister will be unopposed in the general election barring a write-in candidate.

“I’m very gratified that the people of Shelby County have expressed their confidence in the work that we have done so far in the probate office and the mental health court,” Fuhrmeister said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to bring new ideas to our courts.”

Fuhrmeister said of his accomplishments as probate judge, he is most proud of the mental health court, which has been in existence for 18 months.

During his next term, Fuhrmeister plans to continue his work with the mental health court.

“I’d like to grow the number of defendants that we have in that court,” he said.