CHARLESTON – The state Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission has recommended three of the four candidates who applied to fill a circuit judgeship in Putnam County.
The panel sent the names of Democrats David L. Hill, J. Robert Leslie Jr. and Jennifer D. Singletary to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. He will choose one of the three to serve as judge for most of this year until the election to fill the remaining four years of O.C. "Hobby" Spaudling's term. Spaulding, also a Democrat, retired at the beginning of the year after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.
The JVAC did not name Ed Eagloski as a finalist. A Republican, Eagloski was a circuit judge before losing to Judge Philip Stowers in 2008.
Hill, Leslie and Eagloski all are running for the position in this year's special election. Also running are Republican Joseph K. Reeder of Hurricane and Democrat Rosalee Juba-Plumley of Poca.
Republican Timothy J. Lafon of Winfield, a Republican, had filed to run, but he has since said he would not pursue the position.
Panel sends Tomblin three names for Putnam judge spot
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