Longtime Hopkins County Clerk Devra Steckler withdrew her candidacy for the post minutes before the deadline Tuesday.
“I had every, every intention of running at least one more time when I filed on Nov. 6. And after I went to my dad’s birthday party, his 79th birthday party, it just kind of hit me Friday night,” she said. “And I was wondering if I was doing the right thing by committing to another five years. I just feel like my parents… I just felt the need that I need to be there for them.”Steckler said the decision was a difficult one since she has worked at the clerk’s office for more than 30 years.
“My heart will always be here with the county, and it’s still very emotional for me, and I can hardly even talk about it,” she said. “I feel like I’m doing what I need to do at this time of my life.”
Steckler’s niece and chief deputy for a decade Keenan Ratliff filed for Hopkins County clerk after Steckler withdrew her candidacy. Steckler has served five terms as county clerk.
