It is with a deep respect for the people of West Virginia and with a profound sense of responsibility for the Constitution of our great state that I announce my candidacy for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
Throughout my career, I have been guided by a desire to make life better for West Virginians and by the belief that when laws are created and interpreted in a way that is consistent with our Constitution, they can do exactly that.
Currently, I represent the citizens of the Fourth District in Ohio County in the West Virginia House of Delegates, and previously, I served the people of District 51 in Monongalia County. My time in the Legislature has given me an abiding respect for the role that the Constitution plays in each of our lives by protecting our inalienable rights.
The Supreme Court stands as the guardian of our Constitution, maintaining the balance of power in our government.
During my legislative service, I have supported many bills that do what is right for people and communities in our state. But I have also seen bills move forward despite serious constitutional concerns, pushed through the process by the troubling assumption that they would never face meaningful judicial review. These experiences have reinforced my belief that justice must not be purely ideological; it must be principled, reasoned, with Constitutional limits that are real and enforceable. And, the Court must remain independent, engaged, and willing to serve as the true check on the other branches of government it was always intended to be.
West Virginians deserve a choice when it comes to who serves in the most important positions in our state, including and perhaps especially, on the Supreme Court. While vacancies must sometimes be filled by appointment, challenging those appointments in an open election is a fundamental right, one that helps to ensure that the laws we follow serve us fairly.
I do not seek this position for power or prestige, but out of a belief that my decades of legal and legislative experience, and my dedication to our state and its laws, can help strengthen the Court and uphold its vital role in our system of government. I am honored to put my name forward as a candidate for the Supreme Court of Appeals.
If elected, I will serve with integrity and humility, and ensure that the law is applied fairly, independently, and with unwavering fidelity to the Constitution.
