Tesmer announces plan to seek second term as DA

Published 4:19 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Charlotte Tesmer has announced her intent to seek a second term as district attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit.

The Second Judicial Circuit is made up of Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes Counties.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Butler, Lowndes and Crenshaw counties with experience, fairness, honesty and efficiency,” said Tesmer. “I ask for your vote in the Primary Election on March 8 and in the General Election on Nov. 8.”

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Tesmer, who will run as a Democrat, was appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley in March of 2012 to fill the remaining five years on the unexpired term of John Andrews following his retirement.

Prior to her appointment, Tesmer was no stranger to the DA’s office. She worked as an assistant district attorney for 14 years under Van Gholston. When Andrews was appointed to fill Gholston’s unexpired term in 2001, Tesmer went into private practice, working mostly as a defense attorney in Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes Counties.

Tesmer, a 1982 graduate of Auburn University with a degree in justice and public safety and a 1985 graduate of the Jones School of Law, said she is a strong believer in family values and the protection of the county’s children.

That concern for children led Tesmer to co-found the Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center, also known as Safe Harbor, in 1997. Safe Harbor provides counseling services for children who have been the victims of crimes or have witnessed crimes. Tesmer has served on the organization’s board of directors.

Tesmer and her husband Chris have been married for 30 years. The couple has two children, Casey and Cody. They are members of First United Methodist Church.