FLORENCE, Wis. — The longtime district attorney for Florence County has decided he will not seek re-election this fall.

Douglas J. Drexler recently announced he will leave Jan. 1 when his current term ends after 32 years as prosecutor in Florence County.

“Please know that it has been a privilege and a pleasure of a lifetime to have been able to get to know the many good people of Florence County,” Drexler said in a news release. “Many things have changed since I was first elected in 1992. I have witnessed the modernization of this county, which included the creation of the county’s first jail, the beautiful annexation of the courthouse … I have witnessed the struggles of drug addiction and the many problems it creates for our families, but I have also seen how strong this county can be and how it comes together during periods of crisis and tragedy.”

Drexler said he is confident he leaves the district attorney’s office in good hands and wishes the best for the sheriff and “the many bright new law enforcement officers that are serving the people of Florence County.”

Drexler plans to continue providing a variety of legal services to the community, along with legal assistant Marlo Bal, at his private law office at 433 Florence Ave. in the town of Florence.