Ketchum, Workman win WV Supreme Court seats

There will be two new faces on the West Virginia Supreme Court next year – well, one new face and one returning face.

Former West Virginia supreme court justice Margaret Workman and Huntington trial lawyer Menis Ketchum, both Democrats, narrowly edged out Charleston lawyer Beth Walker for two seats.

With about 90% of the precincts counted, Menis Ketchum led the pack with about 35% of the vote, with Margaret Workman barely edging out Beth Walker for the last remaining seat, 33 to 32%.

Walker benefited from a last-minute ad buy from the national and state chambers of commerce and other groups.

Workman spent almost no money on the race, depending on her name recognition and free media.

“The only thing I found troubling was in the last week, there was close to half a million dollars brought in by out of state interests,” Workman said.

“I’m hoping if I succeed the message will be that the supreme court does not have a for sale sign on it,” she added.

Walker said she was proud of the race she ran.

Workman was attacked by the West Virginians for Life for an opinion regarding state funding for abortions.

Ketchum was criticized for being a trial lawyer who would be unfriendly to business – a charge he denied.

Walker was criticized for her ties to business, both as defense lawyer and through her family, which owns Walker Machinery.

All three candidates promised to restore integrity to the court. Earlier this year, photos emerged of Justice Spike Maynard vacationing in the Riviera with Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, at the same time Massey Energy has cases pending before the court. Maynard lost his seat in the May Democratic primary.