Another hat has been thrown into the ring as the race for Escambia County’s probate judge heats up.

Doug Agerton has announced his candidacy for the position opposing incumbent Emilie Mims for the position.

Mims was appointed to the position of probate judge for the county when Rachel Agerton retired from the position before her term expired.

Agerton hopes to follow in his mother Rachel’s footsteps as he pursues the office.

“My plans have always been to follow in my mother’s footsteps and see her office after her retirement,” Agerton said. “Unfortunately, because of health issues she had to retire earlier than originally planned.”
Agerton said he believes his knowledge of the office of probate will help him understand the position and better serve the county’s residents.

“My mother worked in the probate office in some capacity for 38 year so I feel like I was raised in that office,” Agerton said. “I remember many weekends going with her to open the office for a forgotten hunting license or to perform a marriage ceremony at someone’s home. I saw, first hand, what it means to be a servant of the people of Escambia County ad to always be available. I want to be that kind of probate judge.”

Agerton graduated from W.S. Neal High School and attended Troy State University, Jefferson Davis Community College and Patrick Henry Community College where he received his Alabama law license.

He has worked with W.T. Neal Trust, T.R. Miller Mill, Inc., where he worked for 17 years in timber procurement and land management and supervising logging operations; Nalco Chemical Company’s pulp and paper division; and Agerton Forestry Services in timber and land management as well as timber and estate appraisals. In 2000, Agerton started On The Boulevard hair salon and added Agerton Boot Shop in 2004.

“Because of my work background in timber procurement, land management and real estate, I am very familiar with the recordings of deeds and wills in the probate office and have knowledge of legal descriptions, reading plot maps and aerial photographs,” Agerton said. “That knowledge could be used in determining the correct voting districts for voters.”

Agerton has served as chairman of the administrative advisory board for Escambia County Career Technical school; W.S. Neal alumni board; past chairman of the Escambia-Conecuh Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation; Nalty Tree Farm hunting lease board; Alabama Longleaf Association; Alabama Realtors Association; president of Brewton Babe Ruth League; Greater Brewton Area Softball League board; past member of the Brewton Chamber of Commerce; East Brewton Volunteer Fire Department; McCall Volunteer Fire Department; and church board of directors.

Although education and work experience is extensive, qualifications for the office are learned outside schools and offices, Agerton said.
“I believe the most important qualifications for being the probate judge for Escambia County is to be caring, sympathetic, treat everyone as equal and be available,” Agerton said. “I have watched my mother display these qualities and would love to have an opportunity for these characteristics to continue through me for the people of Escambia County.

Agerton is a member of the East Brewton First Church of the Nazarene where he is a member of the choir and a member of the Benevolence Board. He is a past board member and Sunday school teacher.

He and his wife, Stephanie, have been married for 21 years and the couple has two sons, James Edmond and Brice Timothy.