CHARLESTON - Charleston attorney and former House of Delegates member Dan Greear filed pre-candidacy papers July 2 to begin the process of running for Kanawha Circuit Court judge.
By filing, Greear can being the process of raising funds for the election, and allows a campaign committee to be formed. Greear said he is interested in running simply because he thinks he'll be good.
"I enjoy learning and doing new things," Greear, a Republican, said. "A circuit court judge is always presented with new situations and areas of law that he's going to have to confront."
Greear is now a lawyer with Kesner, Kesner and Bramble PLLC, where he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation.
In a news release from the Greear for Judge Committee, former senator Steve Harrison said he has agreed to serve on the campaign committee.
"Dan and I served together in the House of Delegates and we have been friends for many years," Harrison said in the release. "Dan's legal knowledge, academic background, legislative experience and excellent character will make him a great judge."
There has been no sign there will be an opening in the Kanawha Circuit Court, but Greear is one of several who have filed to begin the process of campaigning, in case there is an opening. Mike Kelly and Joanna Tabit have also filed papers to campaign.
Greear said he has heard rumors and different things around town, and anticipates there will be an opening on the bench.
Greear was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in 1992, after he graduated third in his class from the WVU College of Law. He served in the House of Delegated, representing Kanawha County's 30th District, in 1995 and 1996.
He is a lifelong Kanawha County resident and a graduate of South Charleston High School. He still resides in South Charleston with his wife Amy and their two sons Joshua and Ben.