CANTON — In the wake of the announcement from Superior Court Chief Judge Frank Mills that he is dropping from the race, a judge from another Cherokee County court said he will seek the seat on the bench vacated by the long-time judge.

Cherokee County Juvenile Court Judge M. Anthony “Tony” Baker announced Tuesday he will seek the Cherokee County Superior Court seat.

“I feel that this is the opportunity to run for the open seat created by Judge Mills’ retirement,” Baker said of why he’s running. “With my experience as a local trial lawyer and my past five and one-half years as Juvenile Court judge, I am ready for the challenges that await me as a Superior Court judge.”

Woodstock attorney Mark Shriver announced last week he would seek the position in the upcoming elections and will now face off with Baker.

Baker was appointed as judge to the juvenile court in 2007 and is a member of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges and on the Council’s Delinquency Committee.

He’s also served as a board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Canton Optimist Club, where he also served as a judge for its oratorical contest, and the Mimms Boys and Girls Club of Cherokee County.

The judge also sits on the Chattahoochee Technical College’s advisory board and is a board member of the Joseph Daniel Foundation.

Baker also helps trains foster parents and speaks to children and teenagers at local schools and is the assistant scoutmaster for Canton-based Boy Scout Troop 125.

In 2011, he received the Justice Robert Benham Award for his service to the community, which is given by the State Bar of Georgia.

Baker graduated from Cherokee High School in 1985, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1989 and graduated from Mercer Law School in 1992.

He and wife Tiffany live in Canton with their two children and attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church.