Upshur County Pct. 2 Commissioner Joe (Buddy) Ferguson announced Tuesday morning he will not seek reelection to a third term in 2010.

In a brief written statement given to The Mirror, Ferguson said, “I will not seek reelection for Commissioner in the 2010 election due to personal and health reasons. I will continue to serve for the next year and two months as I always have. This should give the good people of Upshur County who seek this position the opportunity to make their decision.

“Thank you for your support,” the 2-paragraph statement concluded.

Ferguson, 68, recently underwent knee replacement surgery. Although he said his new knee is “doing good,” he said that “my doctor has advised me to hang it up (retire).”

Ferguson, a Democrat, also said he was not endorsing anyone for his seat “at the present.”

Cole Hefner recently announced he would seek the Republican nomination for Ferguson’s post.

Ferguson’s precinct includes four voting boxes—Ore City, Ewell (Union Ridge), northeast Gilmer, and north Diana. (The Lafayette community voting box, which was also in his precinct, was consolidated with Ewell).

A lifelong Ore City resident, Ferguson was first elected commissioner in 2002 and took office Jan. 1, 2003. He said he “got most of the leaks stopped in all the county buildings,” which was “one of my goals.”

A builder before becoming commissioner, he said he “may build a house or two” after leaving office.