RINCON -- Steve Yekel, a longtime resident of Effingham County, has announced his candidacy for State Court judge of  Effingham County.

Yekel has been a practicing attorney for more than 45 years. He served as  pro tem judge for Chatham County Recorder’s Court for 12-plus years and pro tem judge for Chatham Juvenile court more than five years, He is also a former Chatham County assistant district attorney and law enforcement officer.

Yekel is a graduate of Auburn University and Atlanta Law School.  He also received training from Georgia Police Academy and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Outside the court room, Yekel  has served his community in various  positions, in addition to coaching his children’s recreational ball teams. He currently serves as vice president and legal counsel for Effingham Heroes Inc. and captain of the usher team at Compassion Christian Church.

Yekel and his wife, Lisa, moved to Effingham County in 1999. Two of their children, Sean and Ashleigh, grew up in the Effingham County School District.  They now attend Georgia Southern.  Their sons Blak and Brett live in Savannah and Atlanta, respectively.