Greear officially files paper to run for Kanawha circuit judge
by admin on 25/01/10 at 11:30 am
The West Virginia Record
By Chris Dickerson
January 25, 2010
CHARLESETON — Charleston attorney Dan Greear has filed candidacy papers to run for a seat on the Kanawha Circuit Court bench.
Greear, a former House of Delegates member and candidate for state Attorney General, said he has been meeting with leaders across the state since he filed pre-candidacy papers last month. Those meetings, he said, have shown overwhelming support of his bid for a seat on the bench.
“I did not sign up because I thought this would be easy,” Greear said of his decision to run. “The citizens of Kanawha County deserve a hard-working judge, and I will work hard to win their confidence.
“I love to campaign and look forward to interacting with the citizens of Kanawha County and listening to their concerns about the judicial system. I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive family that will be right beside me in this process.”
Greear will be going after the seat currently held by Carrie Webster. Webster, a former House of Delegates member and chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee, was appointed to the seat last month by Gov. Joe Manchin after former Circuit Judge Irene Berger was appointed to a federal judgeship by President Obama.
Webster already has filed papers to run for the position. She and Greear are the only candidates who have filed so far.
For more than 17 years, Greear has been practicing law throughout the state of West Virginia and is currently a partner with the Charleston law firm Kesner, Kesner & Bramble.
Greear said he intends to use an aggressive grassroots campaign that will include phone banks, attending community events and going door-to-door in every community in Kanawha County.
Greear said he anticipates strong support in the 30th House District which he previously represented, as well as the 32nd District, traditionally a conservative stronghold. In 2008, Greear nearly unseated career politician Darrell McGraw in the statewide attorney general race; Greear defeated McGraw in Kanawha County by more than 4,000 votes. In 2004, McGraw had defeated his opponent in Kanawha County by a wide margin.
“As I have spoken with local attorneys and individuals who are currently pursuing lawsuits in Kanawha County, there is a great deal of interest in having a judge with extensive litigation experience, as opposed to political connections,” Greear said. “In addition to knowledge of the law and legal system, a judge is responsible for managing his or her courtroom and staff; I look forward to comparing my litigation and management experience with my opponent.
