Juvenile Judge Fisher taking new job, leaving chancellor’s race

Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Fisher is withdrawing from the race for Anderson County chancellor because he is joining a nonprofit mental health provider in Pennsylvania in September, a press release said.

Fisher will be the assistant general counsel at the national headquarters of NHS Human Services Inc., the release said. The September start will allow him to finish his term, which ends in August.

In the release, Fisher said the decision was difficult.

But he said NHS Human Services, which has headquarters in Lafayette Hill, Pa., is one of the largest social services providers in the country. The company is a community‐based nonprofit provider of mental health services for juveniles and adults, and it employs more than 10,500 individuals nationwide. It is one of the largest providers of services for foster children, children with intellectual disabilities, and adults in need of mental health treatment, the release said.

“The position would allow Fisher to work as a liaison with juvenile judges and probation agencies across multiple states,” the release said. “Judge Fisher will delay starting his new job until he has fulfilled his commitment to the citizens of Anderson County.”

Fisher said the job offer was unexpected, but it is also “an incredible opportunity to pursue the challenge of impacting the lives of children and families with developmental and other needs.

“I have been disappointed as I watch members of the bench announcing an early retirement in order to pad their retirement checks. I will delay starting work with NHS until September and complete my term as juvenile judge through August.

“The offer to join NHS was extended over the holidays, and my wife and I have weighed the decision over the past few weeks. Our family is extremely happy working and living in Anderson County. This is just an amazing chance to continue my lifelong work with children and families in need of assistance.

“Jena and I are eternally grateful to everyone who has supported me as juvenile judge and encouraged me to run for chancellor. We must all continue to seek a judiciary that maintains the highest standards for the bench and works to end the nepotism, favoritism, and inefficiency that causes the citizens we serve to lose faith in our justice system.”

Fisher announced his intention to run for chancellor in December after serving more than four years as juvenile judge. He said he intends to withdraw his qualifying petition before the Feb. 20 deadline.

Fisher was appointed Anderson County juvenile court judge in January 2010, replacing April Meldrum after she resigned, and he was elected in August 2010.

He had been one of about a half-dozen candidates seeking to fill the seat now held by Chancellor William Lantrip, who has announced he will retire at the end of his eight-year term this year.

More information will be added as it becomes available.