Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — For the first time, the election for West Virginia Supreme Court will be nonpartisan and the entire race will be decided during the May 10 primary. There will be no runoff in the fall, so it is possible that just over 21 percent of the vote could elect the next justice.
Previously, candidates would list a party affiliation on the ballot to run for the court. A party primary would occur in the spring, followed by the general election in the fall.
Supreme Court justices are elected for 12-year terms with no term limits. They make $136,000 a year.
The candidates are:
BRENT BENJAMIN (incumbent)
Age: 58
Hometown: Charleston
Occupation: Supreme Court justice
Political experience: First-term Supreme Court justice, elected in 2004.
Education: Bachelor's degree and law degree, Ohio State University.
Key endorsements: West Virginia Sheriffs Association; West Virginia State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police; West Virginia League of Humane Voters
Perspective: "As a justice, I believe in the rule of law, and applying the law the best I can in an impartial and independent way. I believe that because of the efforts that we've made on the court, today we have a stable, predictable court, and one that's viewed as fair."
Campaign: www.justicebenjamin.com
BETH WALKER
Age: 51
Hometown: Morgantown
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Ran for Supreme Court in 2008
Education: Bachelor's degree, Hillsdale College; law degree, Ohio State University.
Key endorsements: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito; West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; West Virginia State Medical Association; West Virginians for Life; West Virginia Coal Association
Perspective: "My conservative vision is to be a fair, impartial, nonpolitical judge who is focused on the rule of law."
Campaign: http://www.walkerforsupremecourt.com/
BILL WOOTON
Age: 71
Hometown: Beckley
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: West Virginia House of Delegates 1977-86, 1989-90, 2009-10; West Virginia Senate, 1991-2002
Education: Bachelor's degree, Marshall University; law degree, West Virginia University School of Law
Key endorsements: Beckley Firefighters IAFF Local 795
Perspective: "I believe the legislative branch of government is responsible for public policy decisions. I think as a member of the Supreme Court, your responsibility is really to call balls and strikes."
Campaign: http://wootonforjustice.com/
DARRELL MCGRAW
Age: 79
Hometown: Charleston
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Supreme Court justice, 1976-1988, attorney general 1992-2012
Education: Bachelor's degree and law degree, West Virginia University
Key endorsements: West Virginia Education Association; United Mine Workers of America; AFL-CIO of West Virginia; Service Employees International Union; West Virginia State Building & Construction Trades Council
Perspective: "The law is intended to be a vehicle for progress, to improve the place in the community where we live: our state, our country, our world. When I look at law, I look at it in an optimistic kind of way."
Campaign: http://www.darrellmcgraw.com/
WAYNE KING
Age: 71
Hometown: Wallback
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Clay County prosecuting attorney, 1972-76
Education: Bachelor's degree, West Virginia University Institute of Technology; law degree, West Virginia University College of Law
Key endorsements: None.
Perspective: "I'm the type of lawyer you want in the trenches fighting for you. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and take it to them. In an adversarial situation, I'm not afraid to be an adversary."
Campaign: www.electwayneking.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
