Longtime Roanoke prosecutor John McNeil is running for commonwealth’s attorney.

And that means Don Caldwell, the longest serving commonwealth’s attorney in the state, plans to retire. Caldwell said at this point he is endorsing McNeil, who has been Caldwell’s deputy for three years. McNeil has been with the city office since 2000.

However, Caldwell, as he’s done over the past several election cycles, said he will wait to make sure no “craziness” happens.

Right now, McNeil, a Democrat, is the only candidate to have filed by this year’s primary deadline for party candidates, according to campaign records. But an independent candidate or candidates could still enter the race. That deadline is June 17.

Caldwell, who is in his 11th term, has run for re-election after Democrat Melvin Hill entered the race during the past two cycles.

“I’m not going to say it’s over until we see what happens,” said Caldwell, who was first elected as a Democrat and then later as an independent and has been the city’s commonwealth’s attorney since 1979. Caldwell said he assumes the situation will stay the same this year and he will back McNeil.

McNeil said he believes he can provide needed continuity, and that’s one of the reasons he decided to seek the elected office. McNeil, in addition to his 25 years with the city, was also an Army JAG officer who spent a year in Baghdad from 2005 to 2006.

“It’s important to look to the future to make sure the office runs efficiently,” he said.

McNeil said he’s appreciative of the relationship he has with Caldwell and the chance to run to succeed him.

“Don’s kind of a legend,” McNeil said.

Of McNeil, Caldwell said: “You really can’t find a better candidate than John to take over. Not only for the city, but the staff here.”

McNeil said one of the ongoing challenges in the prosecutor’s office is paying its attorneys enough to keep them. The office has a staff of 14 lawyers.

He said another constant challenge is finding people to cooperate with the prosecution when serious crimes occur.

And on that subject, McNeil said the case of which he is most proud was the 2012 prosecution of Gene Brown for the murder of former police officer Steve Orange. Brown was convicted and sentenced to 43 years.

Brown flashed a gang sign at McNeil at the end of the trial, McNeil said.

While it remains to be seen if there will be a competitive race for commonwealth’s attorney, there are multiple candidates who have filed to run for city sheriff: incumbent Democrat Antonio Hash, Republican James Creasy and independent Lee Hill, according to online records.