A 12-year incumbent says he'll go up against one of his former employees, who announced a bid for clerk of Superior Court following her resignation.

Gary Bell said in a Friday press release he intends to seek re-election for the post he's held since 2001. Former supervising clerk Melba Scoggins left to pursue the office's top job, according to campaign manager Melanie Collier.

Both candidates are running on the Republican ticket.

"I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Bartow County as your Clerk of Superior Court," he said in the release. "We have made many significant changes in the Clerk's office over the past 12 years to better serve the public, such as expanding the office and updating the deed room. Plans are already in process for additional upgrades over the next few years."

Bell said under his leadership, the clerk's office digitized all original land plats and deeds dating back to the early 1800s, a move that made the records accessible by computer and its upgraded system. Easy access to information and customer service would continue to be priorities if he is re-elected, Bell added.

A member of Constitutional Officers' Association of Georgia, Superior Court Clerks Association of Georgia and Georgia Records Association, Bell serves on Legislative and Nominating committees for the state clerks association and helps train and mentor newly-elected clerks. He completed the Superior Court Clerk's Certificate Program in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.

A lifelong Bartow resident, Bell said he's served the community in numerous capacities, including 17 years of volunteer work with Georgia Special Olympics Torch Run and service as northwest Georgia route coordinator. Prior to becoming clerk of Superior Court, he was employed in the county's Planning and Zoning department and at Bartow County Sheriff's Office and Cartersville Police Department.

Bell and wife, Lisa, president of Cartersville Schools Foundation and employee of Cartersville City Schools, have three sons—Clark, a student at Jacksonville State University in Alabama; Tanner, a student at Georgia College and State University; and Jack, a junior at Cartersville High School.

Qualifying for the July 31 primary election is set for May 23 to 25.