A Pulaski County judge announced plans this week to seek a circuit judgeship later this year.
Colin Long, an associate circuit judge, will seek the judgeship held by Tracy Storie, who plans to retire. Filings open next month.
The 25th Judicial Circuit is comprised of Pulaski, Phelps, Maries and Texas counties.
In 2004, Gov. Bob Holden appointed Long, a Democrat, as associate circuit judge of Pulaski County. He has been re-elected twice. During his seven years in office, Long has presided over a multitude of cases ranging from infractions to first-degree murder cases and from small claims cases to complex million dollar civil cases.
Long implemented the drug court for Pulaski County, which seeks to rehabilitate offenders while saving taxpayer dollars. Long is also implementing a veteran’s court in Pulaski County which seeks to offer an alternative for veterans who are experiencing substance abuse issues as a result of post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury that has occurred while the veteran served. Long has also been recognized by the Missouri Supreme Court for handling difficult cases in other counties in Missouri.
Long was born and raised in Waynesville and graduated from high school there.
He attended college at the University of Missouri-Rolla (now MS&T) and graduated cum laude. He received a juris doctorate degree from Oklahoma City University Law School and returned to the 25th Judicial Circuit to practice law. Long was a partner in the law firm of Smith Turley Long. His practice included civil and criminal litigation, domestic relations, municipal government, school and banking law.
He is married to Courtney Lawson Long, who is the principal at Waynesville High School. They have two children, Connor, 4; and Cate, who is 3 months old. Long is the son of retired Circuit Judge Douglas E. Long Jr. and Ruth Berry Long who is a retired schoolteacher.
“I feel that my background in private practice and as an associate circuit judge has given me the experience necessary to assume the office of circuit judge. It is my desire to serve the citizens of the 25th Judicial Circuit in a fair, impartial and efficient manner,” Long said. “I approach every case before me with an open mind, without regard to any political or social standing. I also believe that every case should be resolved in a reasonable time period. Cases heard in my division are consistently heard within the time standards set forth by the Supreme Court of Missouri. These achievements have been accomplished while maintaining a fiscally conservative budget. It is my hope to apply these same principles as a circuit judge.”