Associated Press Published

Candidates File Precandidacy Papers for W.Va. Supreme Court

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Candidates are starting to line up for Supreme Court races next year in West Virginia.

Three seats are up for grabs on May 12, 2020.

Justice Margaret Workman’s 12-year term ends next year. Former House speaker Tim Armstead won a special election in November and is completing the 12-year term through next year of convicted former Justice Menis Ketchum.

And John Hutchison was appointed in December by Gov. Jim Justice to the seat vacated by convicted former Justice Allen Loughry. A special election will be held next year for the remainder of Loughry’s term through 2024.

Kanawha County Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit filed precandidacy papers Tuesday. According to the secretary of state’s website, Armstead and Charleston attorney William Schwartz also have filed precandidacy papers.

Supreme Court races became nonpartisan in 2016.