The election date isn’t official yet, but two candidates have announced their intentions to run for the post of Isle of Wight commonwealth’s attorney.

Smithfield attorney Wayne Farmer and Norfolk attorney Jennifer Tope Stanton say they will run for the post left vacant by W. Parker Councill’s recent appointment as General District Court judge.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Georgette Phillips will act as interim commonwealth’s attorney until the election, which could be held as part of the scheduled general election on Nov. 4, according to Isle of Wight Clerk of the Court Sharon Jones.

Farmer, a county native and current resident, is a partner with the law firm of Saunders Barlow Riddck Babineau PC in Smithfield. He has practiced in Isle of Wight and surrounding communities for 12 years. His practice primarily focuses on criminal law and family law.

Farmer is a graduate of James Madison University and William & Mary Law School. He lives in the county with his wife, Missy, and their two children.

Stanton currently operates her own law firm, J.T. Stanton, PC, on East Plume Street in Norfork.

She is a 1983 graduate of Duke University and a 1990 graduate of New England School of Law. She has appeared in all of Isle of Wight's courts as well as in multiple jurisdictions throughout Virginia, including trial courts across southeastern Virginia, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts, the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Virginia Supreme Court and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Born in China Lake, Calif., Stanton has been a resident of Isle of Wight County since 1999, when she moved to the Morgart's Beach area with her husband, soon-to-be-retired Capt. Michael B. Stanton.

Councill was appointed to the bench during a special session of the Virginia General Assembly in April.