Justice Walker Announces Retirement From State High Court

Justice Beth Walker today announced her retirement from the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Her last day will be June 27. 

“While serving the people of West Virginia has been the greatest honor of my life, I now do my part to usher in a new generation of leadership while spending more time with my family, friends, and pursuing other interests,” Walker said.

Walker is currently the longest-serving justice on the Supreme Court. She was elected in 2016 in the first nonpartisan Supreme Court race, and began serving as justice on Jan. 1, 2017. 

She served as Chief Justice in 2019 and 2023.

During Walker’s term, the high court went through significant upheaval. In August 2018, the House of Delegates voted to impeach the entire court for failing to carry out their administrative duties among other charges. She was acquitted in the Senate and stayed in her position. 

“I am grateful to the people of this state who elected me,” Walker said. “During my tenure, we have achieved significant success in their name. We have restored public trust in the judicial branch of government by increasing transparency, accountability, and impartiality while returning the focus of the judiciary to the rule of law. We have established a cooperative functioning relationship with both the legislative and executive branches, which I hope endures for years to come.”

Walker informed Chief Justice William R. “Bill” Wooton and Gov. Patrick Morrisey over the weekend. 

After her retirement date, there are still three and a half years left on the open seat. The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission will collect applications, conduct interviews and make recommendations to the governor, who will appoint a replacement. 

Under the law, when the vacancy occurs with more than three years left on the expiring term, the vacancy will be filled in the next judicial election (in this case, the May 2026 primary) according to Jared Hunt, the communications director for the court.

The governor will likely appoint a replacement this summer until the May 2026 election. Once that election is certified, the winner of the seat will serve as justice until Dec. 31, 2028. In 2028, the seat will be open again and candidates will have to run for election to fill the 12-year term.