CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia Supreme Court candidates took turns touting themselves as the best option for restoring the public’s confidence in the court system following an impeachment shakeup, and some urged residents to show up on Nov. 6 in what one candidate described as “the most critical election in our state’s history.”
Nine of the 10 candidates running for the seat of retired Justice Menis Ketchum attended a forum Monday night at the state Culture Center in Charleston. Another forum is set for Thursday night among 10 candidates seeking the seat of retired Justice Robin Davis.
The election comes after a year of tumult for the Supreme Court. The candidates sprinkled the words “honesty,” ’’integrity” and “fiscal responsibility” throughout their answers as ways to bring back trust in the court.
“I believe our court is in crisis,” said Kanawha County Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit. “Our state’s history is really being written every day in headlines. Our court needs a proven and qualified judge to restore the public’s faith and confidence in the judiciary.”
The House of Delegates in August impeached Davis and Justices Allen Loughry, Beth Walker and Margaret Workman over questions involving lavish office renovations that evolved into accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. Ketchum resigned weeks before the impeachment vote took place and Davis retired immediately after the vote.
Some Democrats have called the impeachments a power grab by the Republican-led legislature. Former Republican House of Delegates speaker Tim Armstead was appointed by Gov. Jim Justice to Ketchum’s seat until the election. Armstead also is running for Ketchum’s unexpired term. Seven other candidates are attorneys and two are circuit judges.
GOP Congressman Evan Jenkins was picked as Davis’ temporary replacement and is running for that seat.
Judicial elections in West Virginia became nonpartisan in 2016. While the candidates come from both Democratic or Republican backgrounds, they steered clear of references to partisan politics during the forum.
“We need a great independent judiciary,” said Procious attorney Hiram “Buck” Lewis. “I want to sit on that 100 percent elected, nonpartisan court. I believe it is so vital and it is so important.”
When asked how he would work to earn the public’s favor, Charleston attorney Harry C. “Bo” Bruner Jr. said, “lead by example. Set a standard that nobody can bash.”
Bruner then urged residents to do their part and “please come out and vote because this is the most critical election in our state’s history.”
The candidates did not directly debate each other but were asked a wide variety of questions, including whether constitutions are open to interpretation and legislative oversight of the Supreme Court’s budget.
The Supreme Court essentially sets and controls its budget under the state constitution. But lawmakers voted to put an amendment on November’s ballot that would give the Legislature more control. Opponents have said that would infringe on the courts’ independence.
“I see nothing wrong with the Legislature having some oversight over the Supreme Court budget,” said Charleston attorney and former state lawmaker Mark Hunt. “It only makes sense.”
Armstead was asked how justices should stay grounded and not get caught up in their elite position.
“You have to continually remind yourself that you serve the people. That may sound cliche,” he said. “You’re not there for you. You have to realize you’re there for a purpose, to serve the people of the state.”
According to recent finance reports, Tabit’s campaign has raised $199,000, more than triple that of Armstead.
The forums are sponsored by the West Virginia Bar Association. The only candidate not participating Monday was Barboursville attorney and self-described political independent D.C. Offutt Jr., a former state Bar president.
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