Paul Ryker
Paul Ryker was a 2016 candidate for the West Virginia Judicial District 6 in West Virginia.[1] Ryker lost in the general election on May 10, 2016.
Biography
Ryker earned his B.A. from Marshall University in 1974. He later received his J.D. from West Virginia University in 1977. Ryker is a private practice attorney. He became an assistant municipal judge for Huntington, West Virginia, in 1988.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Ryker provided the following personal statement to The Herald-Dispatch in March 2016:
| “ |
The mission and focus of the new Circuit Judge must change. A very strong work ethic must be applied to an expanding caseload. Yet, beyond the work of the office, the next judge must better unite our people and their court. Our people are hurting from the ravages of a drug epidemic but their despair and disconnect may well be shown in their failure to even honor simple jury service requests. By addressing civic groups, students, and the public generally, a better link must be established! In short, the judge must PROTECT, and CONNECT with, the people of Cabell County. [3] |
” |
| —Paul Ryker (2016), [2] | ||
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. Greg Howard defeated Amy Herrenkohl, Cheryl Henderson, Paul Ryker and Daniel Konrad defeated in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 6, Division 2 seat.[1]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 6, Division 2 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Greg Howard |
35.29% | 6,833 |
| Amy Herrenkohl | 30.96% | 5,993 |
| Cheryl Henderson | 18.30% | 3,543 |
| Paul Ryker | 10.01% | 1,937 |
| Daniel Konrad | 5.36% | 1,037 |
| Write-in votes | 0.09% | 17 |
| Total Votes | 19,360 | |
| 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.[4]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[4]
- 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.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Herald-Dispatch, "Cabell County Circuit Court Judge candidate: Paul Ryker, Division 2," March 20, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: West Virginia," archived October 3, 2014
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
