After serving almost three decades in the office of the District Attorney, Sam Oatman has announced that he will not be seeking reelection.

Oatman began his career as a prosecutor in 1976 in Lubbock County as an Assistant District Attorney before returning to his hometown in Llano to serve as the First Assistant District Attorney under the Honorable Louis Crump in 1981.

Oatman was then appointed to District Attorney by Governor Mark White in 1984, following the resignation of Crump. In 1985, Oatman was elected to the office and has held the title of District Attorney for the 33rd and 424th Judicial Districts since that time.

He announced his decision last Tuesday night at a meeting of the Llano County Republican Club.

“I’ve been pondering this decision for months, but in any case there is always the ‘right time’ to either announce you’re running or you’re not running.  I would have preferred announcing to the entire four county Republican Party, but that was not possible,” said Oatman.

Two attorneys from Burnet County have announced intentions to run for the office of District Attorney, Wiley ‘Sonny’ McAfee and Angela Dowdle.

McAfee announced his intent to run in July of this year, and Dowdle announced her intentions early this month.

 “I’m glad that for now there are at least two candidates in the race as issues need to be debated for this important office, but I am staying neutral.  I will be open to help make the transition to whoever survives the upcoming election.  I owe this to the integrity of the office and the citizens it protects,” stated Oatman.

Oatman’s term expires December 31, 2012.