emailed handout photo for KYLOCAL_KY08GOVERNOR - SAVED MAY 6, 2011: PHOTO CREDIT: PROVIDED PHOTO State Senate President David Williams, pictured, of Burkesville and state Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer of Frankfort are one of three Republican tickets vying for their party's gubernatorial nomination in the May 17, 2011 primary. provided photo

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Senator David Williams said he was ready to end his 12-year run as Senate President and that he's excited to return to his hometown of Burkesville.

Senate President David Williams said being a circuit judge was a childhood dream of his and he can't wait to get started.

"I'm going to try to leave a legacy of being the best circuit judge to ever sit in the area. It's a pretty high standard since Judge Lovelace did such a tremendous job," Williams said.

Effective November 2, Williams will serve as a circuit judge in the 40th Judicial Circuit including his hometown of Burkesville. He says he won't be involved in state politics anymore.

"My career here in Frankfort is over and I'm not going to meddle. I'm not going to criticize. I'm not going to try to backseat drive. It would not be appropriate," he said.

This appointment came from Governer Steve Beshear, an interesting turn after the two had clashed politically. Though there's been tough talk over the years, Williams says he hopes the best for the Governer.

"I really leave feeling no hard feelings toward anyone in the House the Senate or the governor. I'm sure the governor advocated his position. Bloodied my nose when he could because he thought it would help advance his agenda But, you know, I have no hard feelings," he said.

WKYT political editor Bill Bryant said this is a turning point in state politics.

"This is a big change in Frankfort. Will it completely reset the political stage in Frankfort? We’ll have to wait and see, but it will at least give the governor an opportunity for a fresh start with a Senate leader who doesn’t have the troubled past that he and Williams have had," he said.

The Governor's Office issue a statement this afternoon saying Williams is an experienced lawyer and is familiar with that particular district. The next Senate president will be decided by the majority party in December.