CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General candidate David K. Higgins says his qualifications for the office speak for themselves.
Higgins, an attorney at Robinson & McElwee, said he has experience in handling tax litigation and litigation involving the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act.
"The attorney general handles appeals for the tax department and consumer credit issues, both of which I have experience," he said. "My qualifications speak for themselves. The attorney general does not make policy. He is basically the lawyer for the whole state."
Higgins said he has always had an interest in politics, but, as a Democrat, he did not want to challenge an office held by a Democrat.
"This is the first time in many years that the office has been held by a Republican," Higgins said. "This is why I have decided to run now."
Higgins ran for Senate in 2006, but did not win. He said a politician with victories and losses under his belt is a good thing.
"I've always said a politician without losses is a dangerous one," he said. "It's good to have a mixed bag, so to speak."
Higgins, who was born and raised in Fayetteville, has been practicing law in Charleston for more than 40 years.
He previously served on the Charleston City Council from 2003 until 2011 and was appointed by then Gov. Joe Manchin to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2007 and 2008.
Higgins said he does not have an agenda when it comes to the Office of Attorney General.
"I've always said that an attorney needs to have a client – not an agenda," he said. "I'm old fashioned that way. Whether you're a Republican or Democrat, you shouldn't have an agenda."
Higgins said he has an AV 5/5 peer review-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which in the highest rating of that type.
Higgins is married to Patti Hamilton, the executive director of the West Virginia Association of Counties, and has three stepsons.
He graduated from Washington & Lee in 1970 with his undergraduate degree and in 1975 with his law degree. In 1970, he was drafted in to the Army, where he served in Vietnam, before returning to school.
