The races for the 2018 election are beginning to heat up as several candidates have announced bids for office.

Longtime State Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, was the first to announce his plans Monday, saying he would not seek reelection to the District 89 seat he has held for nearly 20 years.

“It’s a bittersweet moment but the time is right,” Boothe said of the decision. “There are other things I want to do, other interests I want to pursue and it’s time for someone else to take the helm.”

It was not long after Boothe made the announcement that the first contender for the seat, current Troy City Council president Marcus Paramore, officially declared his in-tention to run.

“I believe my experience in Montgomery and Washington provides me with an ad-vantage to position District 89 for future growth both in new jobs and expansion of exist-ing industry, as well as better infrastructure,” Paramore said in a statement. “…It has been a great honor to serve the citizens of Troy on the City Council. Now I believe it is time to take my experience and leadership to the Alabama House of Representatives.”

On Tuesday, Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen held a press conference to an-nounce his candidacy for the position. Nearly 90 people attended the conference at the Pike County Courthouse.

“For eight years, I have had a front row seat to witness the hardworking people of Pike County,” Allen told the crowd. “The people work hard. They get up everyday to make our communities better and we have never lost sight that these are the same hardworking people who fund our government. We never lost sight of the fact that we work for the people. Not the other way around. After much thought and prayerful consideration, I have decided not to run for reelection for probate judge. I am pleased to announce my candida-cy for the House District 89 seat.”

Allen’s announcement that he will not seek reelection as probate judge opened up the race for other potential candidates.

No candidates have officially announced a campaign yet for the seat, but attorney Michael Bunn and political columnist Steve Flowers have both said they’re looking at run-ning to fill the opening.

“I am truly humbled by the number of friends and family that have encouraged me to run for probate judge,” Bunn said. “I am exploring it as a possibility and will make a decision in the near future.”

“I will more than likely run for probate judge,” Flowers said. “I will file the cam-paign finance report and make an announcement of my decision on June 30.”

Another race that has already had multiple candidates announce is that of district judge.

Attorney Virginia Green Nowling, attorney Steven Curtis and attorney January “Ja-na” Ellis have all announced intentions to run for the seat.

“I love Pike County and its citizens,” Nowling said. “I would be honored to serve as its District Judge and have an opportunity build upon the strong legacy that Judge High-tower has established here.”

“After a great deal of encouragement from my family, friends and colleagues, I have decided to run for District Judge,” Curtis said. “I believe it is important to uphold and maintain the highest integrity of Pike County’s judicial system and to provide a fair court and equal justice for all parties who have business before the District Court of this coun-ty.”

““My pledge to the citizens of Pike County is to be an open-minded and impartial Judge who will treat everyone who comes before the Court fairly and equally within the eyes of the law,” Ellis said.

Other local races in the election will include state senator, circuit judge place num-ber one, circuit clerk, sheriff, coroner and Pike County School Board places five and six.

The election cycle begins with primaries on June 5, 2018. Candidates were allowed to begin fundraising on Monday.