Gainesville resident J.C. Smith announced Monday he is running for Hall County tax commissioner.

"Now more than ever Hall County needs qualified and dedicated citizens to serve in county government," Smith said in a news release. "I have the experience and commitment to direct the tax commissioner's office."

Smith, a Hall County resident since 1983, retired in 2008 from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center after 20 years.

He is running as a Republican in the 2012 election. He also ran for the position in 2008 against current commissioner Keith Echols.

Echols announced he is stepping down at the end of his term due to health reasons. He'll have been in office 12 years.