Dick Mecum, former U.S. marshal and Hall County sheriff, has announced that he will run for chairman of the Hall County Board of Commissioners.

Mecum joins Steve Gailey, former Hall County commissioner, in the race for the seat currently held by Tom Oliver. Gailey announced his intentions in September.

Oliver's term ends December 2012. He has said he has not decided whether he will run for re-election next year.

Mecum said for the last few months he has considered running.

He said he started looking more closely at a 2010 audit and "could see there are some serious issues that need to be addressed."

Mecum graduated from the University of Georgia and earned a master's degree from Brenau University in public administration. He served three terms as sheriff before being appointed in 2002 by President George W. Bush as U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Georgia, covering Atlanta, Gainesville, Newnan and Rome.

He served in that position for eight years.

Mecum said he feels he has the knowledge and experience in government and finance to fulfill the role on the county commission.

"There need to be some changes made in the way Hall County is being governed," Mecum said.