CHARLESTON — West Virginia Supreme Court candidate Brenden D. Long wants to strengthen a program in family court involving guardians ad Litem if he is elected to the state Supreme Court of Appeals in November.
Long is running in Division 2, the seat of former Justice Robin Jean Davis. The term is up in 2024.
Long said one of the most important changes he would like to seem implemented involves the Supreme Court's support of the family court guardian ad litem program.
"The Supreme Court has done a disservice to the families of West Virginia by not supporting the Family Court guardian ad Litem program, thereby silencing the voice of the children of West Virginia," Long said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "Without this program, the children have no representation in custody disputes in family court."
Long said it continues to be dark times for the West Virginia Supreme Court, which has not made campaigning any easier.
"The people of West Virginia have not seen any resolution to the problems that have shadowed the Supreme Court under a cloud of distrust and financial mismanagement," Long said. "However, if elected, I want to restore honesty, integrity, fiscal responsibility and transparency to our Supreme Court."
Long said he enjoys meeting voters and participating in candidate forums.
"I am thankful for the support of my family and especially my wife, Dr. Ilse-Renee Long, as I continue to work in my law practice and travel our great state during this campaign," Long said. "I would appreciate your vote. If elected by the voters of West Virginia, I will be a humble public servant."
Long filed Aug. 10 for the open seat left by former Justice Menis Ketchum. When Davis resigned, the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office allowed candidates to choose which seat to run for. Long chose Division 2 on Aug. 21.
Long founded Long Law Offices in 2009. There he has served clients in family law, juvenile law, criminal law, personal injury law, abuse and neglect and as a family court appointed guardian ad Litem for children.
He is a member of the West Virginia Bar Association, Putnam County Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar and Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is also vice president of the Putnam County Criminal Justice Board and a committee member of the Putnam County adult drug court program.
There are nine other candidates in Division 2, including Jim Douglas, Robert J. Frank, Evan Jenkins, Jeff Kessler, Jim O'Brien, Will Thompson, Bill Schwartz, Marty "Red Shoes" Sheehan and Dennise Renee Smith.