Tomblin names Wilmoth new Randolph Circuit Judge

CHARLESTON – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has appointed David H. Wilmoth as the new Randolph Circuit Judge.

Wilmoth will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Circuit Court Judge Jaymie Wilfong.

"David's leadership and professional background are extremely well respected in the 20th Circuit," Tomblin said in a statement. "I'm confident his extensive legal knowledge and commitment to his community will help David in his efforts to serve the people of Randolph County in his new role as circuit judge."

A graduate of Marshall University and West Virginia University College of Law, Wilmoth began his legal career in 1991 as an associate attorney at Jory & Smith LC. In 1997, he established his own law firm, David H. Wilmoth LC in Elkins, where he has served a number of practice areas for the last 18 years.

His legal experience also includes service as the Randolph County Fiduciary Commissioner for six years and the Mental Hygiene Commissioner for both Randolph and Tucker counties for more than 15 years. In addition, he worked as Discovery Commissioner for the Randolph County Circuit Court and Special Commissioner for Randolph and Barbour County Circuit Courts.

Wilmoth's past community service includes serving on the Randolph County Ambulance Authority Board and the Correctional Officer Civil Service Commission.

In an email to the Elkins newspaper, Wilmoth said he appreciated the opportunity to serve.

"I want to thank Gov. Tomblin and the Advisory Commission for their confidence in me," Wilmoth wrote in the email to The Inter-Mountain. "I also want to thank my wife and family, my friends and colleagues and the many others who have expressed their support during this process. ...

"I am truly excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Randolph County as Circuit Judge. I am humbled by the support and confidence and the many phone calls and contacts I have received. I believe I am up to the challenges of the job, and will work hard to live up to this great honor.

"I plan to contact the Supreme Court for their guidance and direction as I make this transition."

Wilfong resigned in November, just days after the state Supreme Court suspended her without pay for the rest of her term after she admitted to having a two-year affair with Travis Carter, who was the director of the North Central Community Corrections program in Elkins. Carter and his subordinates could appear in Wilfong’s court.

“Please accept this as my formal letter of resignation, effective today,” Wilfong wrote in the letter dated Nov. 18. “My decision to resign is based largely on the fact that I do not want the taxpayers to incur the unnecessary cost of paying for the judges who would have to be appointed during the period of my suspension.

The citizens of Randolph County have my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for allowing me the privilege of serving as their Circuit Judge for nearly six years.”