The Justice of the Peace race just started.

Gary Alfred announced at the Bullard Area Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, that he will run for the Smith County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, seat held by Judge Paul Fisher.

Alfred, a real estate broker, is co-owner of Pinnacle Realty Group with Mark Anderson in Bullard. He has been a real estate agent for four years.

He retired in 2003 after 30 years as a Department of Public Safety Trooper in the Canton and Tyler area.

“It’s time to give something back,” Alfred said.

Alfred, 56, was born and raised in Tyler and he graduated high school from John Tyler High School. He also took courses at Tyler Junior College.

Alfred said Fisher, who was appointed after the death of Judge Bill Lemmert in December, has no plans to run for the office. The primary election will be March 2.

Alfred is married and his wife, Danita, is a professor at the University of Texas, Tyler. They have two grown children.