Local attorney Melanie Cross, who faces Joseph Carter in the Dec. 2 run-off election for Tifton Circuit Superior Court judge, responded in writing Thursday to Tuesday’s announcement by former candidate Ronnie Wheeler that he supported Carter.

Ronnie Wheeler announced Tuesday afternoon on the courthouse steps that he is endorsing Joseph Carter for Superior Court Judge of the Tifton Judicial Circuit.

Wheeler, a local attorney working as an assistant district attorney in Paul Bowden’s office, was knocked out of the running in the Nov. 4 General Election by Carter and Cross. The Tifton Judicial Circuit includes Tift, Turner, Worth and Irwin counties. In that election, Carter received 40.2 percent, Cross received 40.0 percent and Wheeler received 19.8 percent of the votes cast in the circuit. Carter received 40 votes more than Cross Nov. 4.

“Ronnie has the right to vote for the candidate of his choice, but I think the people of this circuit are smart enough to make up their own minds,” Cross wrote. “I didn’t have the luxury of name recognition in the beginning ... my name hasn’t been on the ballot before. I believe we got to where we are by hard work, commitment and persistence. Our campaign has been positive from the beginning and we will not stop that now. We have great momentum and we will keep moving forward until Dec. 2.

“I want to elevate this race beyond endorsements and focus on providing information so people can make an informed vote,” Cross wrote. “The difference in this race is the person and I want voters to know that in addition to my legal, courtroom and small business experience that I am firm and fair-minded. I will be tough on criminals and an advocate for children.

“I hope the voters in this circuit have seen through our hard work and persistence that I am committed to this race, to this position and to the people of this circuit. I was born here and grew up here and this is where I will be for the rest of my life. I truly believe from the results of the general election we were able to get our message across. I am honored at the confidence placed in me by the voters. I only ask them to come back out during the run-off and vote again.”

Bowden stated in a press release Wednesday that his office doesn’t “make a preferential endorsement of either candidate” for Superior Court Judge and “As district attorney, I want to make it clear that Mr. Wheeler does not speak for this office nor for me personally,” Bowden wrote. “Mr. Wheeler certainly has the right to endorse whomever he wants, but the district attorney’s office does not make a preferential endorsement of either candidate. Both Melanie Cross and Joseph Carter are fine people and competent lawyers. It will be a great honor to work with whomever is elected. I wish both of them the very best in the upcoming election.”