Richard Trodden, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the Arlington Court system that serves the City of Falls Church, announced that he will not seek re-election to a fifth four-year term yesterday, and threw his support in the November 2011 election to his Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos.

Stamos, a Democrat, “has earned, in her nearly 25 years of experience, the respect of the bench, the defense bar, her colleagues and the citizens of Arlington County and Falls Church,” Trodden said in a written statement. Stamos also has the backing of Arlington Sheriff Beth Arthur and Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Ferguson, who called her “tough but fair,” adding, “She’s a compassionate and caring person” and “a great prosecutor and community leader.” Stamos visited some community leaders in Falls Church on Monday, and a “meet and greet” for her is being organized at the home of a prominent Falls Church citizen in January. She is expected to receive a challenge from a Republican nominee for the job.