Senator Charles Trump (R-Morgan) announced today that he will be running in 2024 for the open West Virginia Supreme Court seat. Justice John Hutchinson announced yesterday that he’s not running for re-election.
Appearing on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval this morning, Senator Trump said that “it wasn’t something that I was planning.”
“Justice Hutchison surprised many people, including me, with his announcement yesterday,” Senator Trump said. “I wouldn’t have considered running against Justice Hutchison were he choosing to stand for re-election.”
“If given the honor of serving on the Supreme Court as a justice, I would serve to the very best of my ability with high levels of integrity, ethics and civility.”
“I would work very hard with the court to continue to enhance public trust in the institution,” Senator Trump said.
Senator Trump has been serving in the West Virginia Senate since 2014. He is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Five years ago, all five justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court were impeached on charges related to corruption, lack of oversight and overspending.
“When I came to the Supreme Court in January 2019 the judicial system was starting to come out of a very dark place,” Justice Hutchison wrote in his letter to Chief Justice Elizabeth Walker yesterday. “In the last five years the new court has made amazing strides in reestablishing the integrity of the third branch of government. That could not have happened without the leadership provided by the five members of the Court but also it could not have happened without the dedication and hard work of the 1500 employees who work for the Court.”
Senator Trump’s announcement will leave an open Senate seat from Morgan County in 2024.