17 apply for W.Va Supreme Court seat

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Jim Justice released a list of 17 people who applied to fill the vacant West Virginia Supreme Court seat left open after justice Allen Loughry resigned this fall.

Unlike justices Menis Ketchum and Beth Walker, Loughry did not resign in time for voters to fill the seat in the fall general election, meaning Justice will appoint a judge for the role until the 2020 primary.

Loughry was convicted of 11 federal charges in early October.

Among the names to replace Loughry is the third highest vote-getter in the November election, Joanna Tabit. Tim Armstead and Evan Jenkins were elected to fill the two open seats in the general election.

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission will conduct interviews for the vacancy on Tuesday, Dec. 11 and submit their recommendations to the governor.

Kelley Tierney

The full list of applicants for Loughry’s seat are:

  • Robert Carlton, Williamson
  • Gregory Chiartas, Charleston
  • Bradley Crouser, Charleston
  • James Douglas, Charleston
  • Lee Feinberg, Charleston
  • Robert Frank, Lewisburg
  • John Hutchinson, Beckley
  • Brenden Long, Scott Depot
  • Louis Palmer, Charleston
  • Jim Rowe, Lewisburg
  • William Schwartz, Charleston
  • Mark Sorsaia, Hurricane
  • Joanna Tabit, Charleston
  • Harry Taylor, Charleston
  • Joseph Wallace, Elkins
  • Rusty Webb, Charleston
  • Bill Wooton, Beckley

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