CHARLESTON – Beth Walker's Supreme Court campaign on Tuesday announced endorsements from state lawmakers.
In the announcement, Walker's campaign said the legislators cited "her extensive experience as a lawyer and her independent, conservative judicial philosophy."
“I support Beth Walker because she will be an independent voice on our Supreme Court of Appeals," Kanawha County state Senator Ed Gaunch said. "I am confident she will be a fair and impartial judge and work to ensure that every litigant has a fair day in court.
"During the legislative session, we passed non-partisan election of judges. Beth has been a long-time advocate for the non-partisan election of judges, and she is the right choice to usher in the independence from partisanship that the courts of West Virginia deserve."
Harrison County Delegate Terry Waxman agreed.
“It has become apparent to me, as well as many others, that the West Virginia Court System is in dire need of strong, independent conservative voice," Waxman said. "Beth Walker is prepared to fill that void. She has a proven record of experience and a clear passion for judicial fairness. I am excited about supporting her candidacy.”
Other elected officials endorsing Beth Walker for Supreme Court are:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael
Senator Ryan Ferns
Senator Ed Gaunch
Senator Daniel Hall
Senator Robert Karnes
Senator Kent Leonhardt
Senator Mark Maynard
Senator David Nohe
Senator Tom Takubo
House Majority Leader Daryl Cowles
Delegate Lynne Arvon
Delegate Danny Hamrick
Delegate Jordan Hill
Delegate Eric Householder
Delegate Gary Howell
Delegate Woody Ireland
Delegate John Kelly
Delegate Kayla Kessinger
Delegate J.B. McCuskey
Delegate Josh Nelson
Delegate Amanda Pasdon
Delegate Rupie Phillips
Delegate Matthew Rohrbach
Delegate Roger Romine
Delegate Randy Smith
Delegate Kelli Sobonya
Delegate Amy Summers
Delegate Terry Waxman
“I am honored that these state leaders have offered their support for my candidacy for Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia," Walker said in a statement. "I continue to travel across West Virginia and speak with voters about my independent, conservative judicial philosophy and the need for our highest court to be above partisanship."
Earlier this summer, Walker announced her plans to run for the one seat on the court up for election in 2016. She is running against incumbent Justice Brent Benjamin. Both previously ran as Republicans, but a new law passed by the state Legislature making all judicial elections non-partisan. That means there are no party affiliations with judicial candidates, and there only will be one court election in May instead of a primary and general election.