WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

CHARLESTON - House Speaker Rick Thompson has appointed personal injury attorney Tim Manchin to vice chair of the Judiciary Committee.

On Jan. 22, Thompson announced his committee assignments, including Del. Tim Manchin's new job on the committee. Manchin, of the Manchin Injury Law Group in Fairmont, is the cousin of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.

"With a very active law practice at home, Delegate Manchin has never shied away from taking on big responsibilities in Charleston, including chairing the House Political Subdivisions Committee," Thompson said.

"He also did an outstanding job chairing a special committee that held public hearings around the state, and developed major elements of the sweeping Marcellus Shale legislation the Legislature passed last year."

Last year, Manchin's name was linked to the Congressional seat currently held by Republican David McKinley. A Jan. 10, 2012, report in the Fairmont Times West Virginian said Manchin had no intention of seeking the seat.

The Judiciary Committee will continue to be chaired by Tim Miley, another Democratic personal injury attorney. His practice, the Miley Legal Group, is in Clarksburg.

Republican leadership in the committee will be Minority Chair John Ellem and Minority Vice Chair Patrick Lane.

The other members are Michael Ferro, D-Marshall; Barbara Fleischauer, D-Monongalia; Mark Hunt, D-Kanawha; Linda Longstreth, D-Marion; Mike Manypenny, D-Taylor; Justin Marcum, D-Mingo; Clif Moore, D-McDowell; John Pino, D-Fayette; Meshea Poore, D-Kanawha; Stephen Skinner, D-Jefferson; Isaac Sponaugle, D-Pendleton; Danny Wells, D-Kanawha; Cindy Frich, R-Monongalia; Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur; Eric Householder, R -Berkeley; Woody Ireland, R-Ritchie; John McCuskey, R-Kanawha; John O’Neal, R-Raleigh; John Overington, R-Berkeley; John Shott, R-Mercer; Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell.

Of the 25 members, 14 are democrats.

Hancock County Del. Randy Swartzmiller has been appointed Speaker Pro Tempore. Three other major committees were assigned new vice chairs -- Doug Reynolds, D-Cabell, to the House Finance Committee; Josh Stowers, D-Lincoln, to the House Education Committee; and David Perry, D-Fayette, to the House Health Committee.

From the West Virginia Record: Reach John O'Brien at jobrienwv@gmail.com.