Mark Wills
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Mark Wills (b. November 19, 1955) is a judge for the West Virginia Judicial District 9 in West Virginia.[1] Mark Wills won the general election on May 10, 2016.
Wills is a former Democratic member of the West Virginia State Senate representing District 10 from 2010-2012. He was elected in 2010 to fill the unexpired term of Don Caruth, who passed away while in office.
Prior to his election, Wills worked as a private practice attorney. He obtained a B.A. from Concord College and a J.D. from the West Virginia University College of Law.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Wills served on these committees:
- Education Committee, West Virginia State Senate
- Education Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
- Health and Human Resources Committee, West Virginia State Senate
- Interstate Cooperations Committee, West Virginia State Senate
- Judiciary Committee, West Virginia State Senate, Vice Chair
- Labor Committee, West Virginia State Senate
- Natural Resources Committee, West Virginia State Senate
Elections
2016
West Virginia held general elections for county judicial offices on May 10, 2016. This date coincided with partisan primaries for statewide and federal offices. The 2016 election was the first nonpartisan election for the state's judicial seats since statehood in 1863. Learn more about this change here. Candidates interested in filing for the election submitted paperwork by January 30, 2016. Mark Wills defeated Scott Ash, Gregory Prudich and Gerald Linkous in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 9, Division 3 seat.[1]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 9, Division 3 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Mark Wills |
37.34% | 4,882 |
| Scott Ash | 30.77% | 4,022 |
| Gregory Prudich | 22.47% | 2,937 |
| Gerald Linkous | 9.42% | 1,232 |
| Total Votes | 13,073 | |
| Source: West Virginia Secretary of State, "Election Results Center," accessed May 10, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The judges of the West Virginia Circuit Court are elected in nonpartisan elections to serve eight-year terms. Judges must run for re-election when their terms expire.[2]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[2]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[2]
- a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years;
- a resident of his or her circuit;
- at least 30 years old; and
- practiced in law for at least five years.
2012
Wills ran in the 2012 election for West Virginia State Senate, District 6. Wills defeated Michael "Mike" Mitchem in the May 8 primary election and was defeated by Bill Cole in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[3][4][5]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bill Cole |
57% | 11,975 | |
| Democratic | Mark Wills Incumbent | 43% | 9,034 | |
| Total Votes | 21,009 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Mark Wills Incumbent |
52.1% | 6,768 |
| Mike Mitchem | 47.9% | 6,216 |
| Total Votes | 12,984 | |
2010
Wills defeated Republican Philip Stevens in the November 2 general election. The open seat was a special election to fill the unexpired term of Senator Caruth. Wills was chosen August 10, 2010 by the Democrats to run for the seat.[6] [7][8][9]
| West Virginia State Senate, District 10 (2010) General Election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Mark Wills (D)
|
14,029 | 52.10% | ||
| Philip Stevens (R) | 12,900 | 47.90% | ||
Endorsements
In 2012, Wills was endorsed by:
- The West Virginia AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education[10]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Wills and his wife, Tina, have two children.
See also
External links
- West Virginia Judiciary Court Information by County
- Mark Wills on the West Virginia Legislature website
- Mark Wills' biography on Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2012
- Mark Wills on Facebook
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: West Virginia," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ WBOY.com, "West Virginia General Election Results November 6, 2012" accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - General Election - November 6, 2012," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - Primary Election - May 8, 2012," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ Official Primary Results SOS
- ↑ Bluefield Daily Telegraph, "Bold moves by southern W.Va. Republicans may open the door for Dems," August 29, 2010
- ↑ Huntington News, "Mark Wills Wins Nomination for State Senate District Convention Elects Wills," August 10, 2010
- ↑ 2010 General Election results
- ↑ herald-dispatch.com, "W.Va. candidates receive endorsements," March 08, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Don Caruth, interim appointed John Shott (D) |
West Virginia State Senate District 10 2010-2012 |
Succeeded by William R. Laird, IV (D) |
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia
State courts:
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia • West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals • West Virginia Circuit Courts • West Virginia Family Courts • West Virginia Magistrate Courts • West Virginia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in West Virginia • West Virginia judicial elections • Judicial selection in West Virginia
