Cobb County Superior Court Clerk Jay Stephenson plans to retire at the end of his term next year and will not seek re-election.

Stephenson will have held the clerk’s position for 28 years when he retires. He has been in the news recently for criticizing Commission Chairman Tim Lee about budget cuts, and has led an ongoing battle against compensation policies for the county’s court reporters.

When asked if Stephenson was being forced out, he said “absolutely not.”

“There is not a thing going on right now as aggravating and threatening as some of the things I’ve been through in the past,” he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today.

The early announcement gives perspective candidates time to make their case to voters and prepare their campaigns, he said.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com