“It’s only days away, there isn’t much more to go,” she said. “But, the campaign has been a lot of fun. I truly do enjoy getting out there and meeting people. However, I do look forward to the outcome.”
Of course, Walker wants that outcome to be her being elected as the first non-partisan justice on the state Supreme Court. This year’s judicial races – from magistrates to state Supreme Court – are the first ones to happen since the Legislature voted to make them non-partisan. So, the May 10 primary for most races is the one and only election for judges across the state.
“I feel really good about the campaign we’ve run,” she said. “We’ve been working for almost 11 months. We’ve done everything we can … traveling, talking to people, going to meetings. I do feel good about what we’ve done.
“And, I am hopeful we have earned the confidence of voters.”
Walker said she thinks voters now know the changes for this judicial election.
“Ever since the beginning, we’ve worked on educating folks on the changes in the race,” she said. “I think just a few weeks ago, that information was still kind of settling in with people. After all, it’s very different than how we’ve elected Supreme Court justices before. My campaign – and the campaign of the other candidates – have worked to educate voters.”
In the waning weeks of the race, outside groups have begun to saturate the state television markets with advertising. Some have been pro-Walker, and some have been anti-Walker. But she said she isn’t letting any of that change her strategy.
“We’re still following our plan,” Walker said. “I’m certainly grateful for the folks who agree with me about my conservative vision for the state Supreme Court and that they’ve decided to share that message with their followers with these ads, but that’s out of my hands. I’m just glad our message is meaningful for them.”
She also said she thinks there is more focus on the race now that it’s down to a matter of days before the vote.
“And, with early voting, I think there absolutely has been more focus on the race, too,” Walker said. “We’ve been visiting eight to 10 counties a week for several weeks now, and we’re going to do that again in these final days.”
She said she thinks it’s still meaningful to get out and talk to voters.
“I want people to know I’m committed to the rule of law and taking politics out of the court,” Walker said.
She said she’s grateful to her campaign staff and others who have helped along the way.
“We’ve just worked so hard,” Walker said. “I’m just very grateful to everyone. I’m also grateful for all of the endorsements we’ve received. I’m just really encouraged that as we’ve earned the confidence of these people and groups who have endorsed us, so too will we earn the confidence of voters.
“So, we’re going to keep working as hard as we’ve been working.”
Because she doesn’t have a record as a judge like incumbent Justice Brent Benjamin and former Justice Darrell McGraw, Walker said she has to share her vision with voters in a different manner.
“My ‘record’ is different, that’s true,” she said. “But I have been practicing law in West Virginia for 26 years. Folks know I’m a lawyer who is committed to civility. I mean what I say. I’m comfortable practicing law and doing public service.
“I want to help West Virginia. I offer something different.”
