Interviews ahead for 15 applicants to be appointed justice of WV Supreme Court

Interviews are commencing for applicants seeking appointment as West Virginia's next Supreme Court Justice, filling the vacancy created by Justice Beth Walker's retirement on June 27. Fifteen candidates are under consideration.

West Virginia state law dictates that when a Supreme Court of Appeals vacancy occurs mid-term, the governor appoints a replacement. The governor selects from a list of 2 to 5 qualified candidates submitted by the Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission. The commission has 90 days from the vacancy date to interview applicants and provide this list to Governor Patrick Morrisey. Governor Morrisey then has 30 days to make the appointment.

The appointed justice will serve until the next general election. At that election, the appointee can run to fill the remainder of the unexpired term originally held by Justice Walker, which was set to end on December 31, 2028. Therefore, Governor Morrisey is selecting a justice to serve for the interim period.

Greg Thomas, the executive director of West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse and a long-time activist in Supreme Court elections, commented on the applicant list. He stated on MetroNews Midday that West Virginia deserves a conservative justice and remarked, "There's some decent names on that list." The list of fifteen applicants was first reported by the West Virginia Record.