CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (WVBIC) is endorsing Beth Walker for Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
“West Virginia Business & Industry Council members – the job creators in the Mountain State – wholeheartedly support Beth Walker as the consensus business candidate for the West Virginia Supreme Court,” WVBIC Chairman Chris Hamilton said. “She is a fair, impartial, knowledgeable and skilled attorney who understands the role of the Supreme Court and we hope West Virginians will elect her to the bench come election day on May 10th.”
WVBIC is comprised of more than 60 West Virginia trade associations and businesses representing more than 395,000 employees. The organization’s goal is to enhance the business climate in West Virginia, and its members have been working to that end for more than three decades.
“I am honored that WVBIC has endorsed my candidacy for Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals," Walker said in a statement. "We are working hard to earn the support of organizations throughout West Virginia that appreciate the importance of a fair, impartial and nonpolitical judiciary."
Hamilton continued, “Beth has advised and represented employers – both large and small – in the manufacturing, energy, health care, financial services, association services and retailing industries. She also has experience representing higher education entities, municipalities, counties and boards of education in the public sector. She is a candidate with well-rounded experience – the type of experience necessary to serve as an independent voice and fair arbiter on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.”
Walker is one of five who have filed for one seat on the bench. The other candidates include incumbent Justice Brent Benjamin, former Justice and state Attorney General Darrell McGraw, former state legislator Bill Wooton and Clay County attorney Wayne King.
Starting this year, all judicial elections in West Virginia are non-partisan. That means the candidates aren’t tied to political parties. It also means the May 10 primary is the only election for judicial seats.
“I continue to travel across West Virginia and talk with voters about my candidacy, the importance of a fair and impartial court system, and the recent changes in how we elect our judges," Walker said.