West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has appointed Donald H. Cookman to represent the citizens of the 15th Senatorial District filling the vacancy created when former Senator Walt Helmick resigned to serve as the Commissioner of Agriculture.
“Throughout his years on the bench, Judge Cookman has dedicated himself to the people of the 22nd Judicial Circuit and I’m confident as a State Senator he will continue to serve West Virginians well,” Governor Tomblin said.
Judge Cookman served as the Chief Judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit comprised of Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton counties.
He has served as circuit judge since 1993. His judicial experience includes temporary judicial assignments as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and sitting as Judge in other circuits.
Cookman began his legal career in 1971 in private practice in Romney.
His public service career includes serving as the Hampshire County Prosecuting Attorney from 1973 thru 1992, and as a Special Prosecuting Attorney in Hardy, Pendleton and Mineral Counties.
In addition, Cookman has served as President of the West Virginia Judicial Association and as a member and Chairperson of the Judicial Ethics Commission.
Cookman was recently appointed by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia as one of three judges on the newly created statewide Business Court.
A graduate of Romney High School, Cookman completed his undergraduate studies at West Virginia University before graduating from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1971.
Cookman resides in Romney with his wife Paula Jean.
The couple has three children and three grandchildren.