Ken Mauldin, the district attorney for Clarke and Oconee counties, is resigning effective Feb. 29, he announced today.

Mauldin had already said he would not run for re-election this year, but had planned to serve out the end of his term. However, he said in a news release that he's had a change of heart.

When I announced in July that I would not seek re-election for a sixth time as District Attorney, it was my intent to serve out the remainder of my term, which runs through the end of this year. However, at that time I did not realize the strong pull I would feel to look ahead past my time as District Attorney. I have been practicing law for almost 40 years, and been in elective office going on 30 of those years, having been elected to serve 8 times, first as Solicitor-General and now as District Attorney. In the last few months, particularly, I have come to understand that it’s time for this part of my life and career to come to an end and a new chapter to begin. With that decision made, I wanted to provide notice now so that there is a sufficient period of time for my successor in office to be appointed in time for there to be an election this year. That is my strong desire. Consequently, I have this day submitted my letter of resignation to the Governor, urging him to make the appointment promptly.

Mauldin is a Democrat, but his resignation opens the door for Gov. Brian Kemp to appoint a Republican, who would then be able to run as an incumbent in November.

Mauldin's chief assistant, Brian Patterson, is running to succeed him against former state Rep. Deborah Gonzalez in the Democratic primary.