In August, the West Virginia House voted to impeach four West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justices after questions arose about expensive, state funded office renovations and other misuse of state resources. Justice Menis Ketchum resigned prior to the introduction of the articles of impeachment, and Justice Robin Davis resigned after the House vote.
These resignations triggered special elections for two seats on the court. Twenty candidates will compete in the nonpartisan general election on November 6, 2018, 10 for each of the two open seats. For Ketchum’s seat, the candidates are interim Justice and former Republican West Virginia House Speaker Tim Armstead, attorney Harry Bruner Jr., attorney Robert Carlton, attorney Ronald H. Hatfield, former Democratic state legislator Mark Hunt, attorney Hiram Lewis IV, attorney D.C. Offutt Jr., West Virginia Circuit Judge Joanna I. Tabit, West Virginia Circuit Judge Chris Wilkes, and attorney Jeff Woods. Competing for Davis’ seat are, Family Court Judge Jim Douglas, attorney Robert Frank, interim Justice and former U.S. House Representative Evan Jenkins, former Democratic state legislator Jeffrey Kessler, attorney Brenden Long, attorney Jim O’Brien, attorney William Schwartz, attorney Marty Sheehan, attorney Dennise Renee Smith, and West Virginia Circuit Judge Stewart Thompson.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $893,460*
- Estimated spending by Jim Douglas: $3,100
- Estimated spending by Bo Bruner: $13,300
- Estimated spending by Republican State Leadership Committee – Judicial Fairness Initiative: $665,390
- Estimated spending by Joanna Tabit: $106,090
- Estimated spending by Just Courts for WV PAC: $105,580
*Spending figures last updated November 5, 2018
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September 13 – See You at the Polls
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In this ad, Jim Douglas promises “the state won’t buy my lunch, I’ll bring my own.”
Sponsor: Jim Douglas
Estimated Spending: $2,150
September 17 – Lonely Road
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This ad says “being a supreme court justice is a lonely walk down a lonely road.”
Sponsor: Jim Douglas
Estimated Spending: $950
October 10 – Misconduct
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In this ad, Bo Bruner says “I’m giving back $200,000 of my Supreme Court salary to you, the taxpayers.”
Sponsor: Bo Bruner
Estimated Spending: $13,300
October 19 – Clean Up
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This ad says Tim Armstead and Evan Jenkins will “bring honesty and integrity back to the court” and “throw the book at child predators.”
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee – Judicial Fairness Initiative
Estimated Spending: $618,570
October 24 – Blind
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In this ad, Joanna Tabit says “I’m a judge – not a politician,” and promises “to clean up corruption.”
Sponsor: Joanna Tabit
Estimated Spending: $106,090
November 1 – More of the Same
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This ad says Armstead “works for the gas companies—not us.”
Sponsor: Just Courts for WV
Estimated Spending: $105,580
October 24 – Take Action
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This ad says “drugs threaten West Virginia – Tim Armstead and Evan Jenkins take action.”
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee – Judicial Fairness Initiative
Estimated Spending: $46,820
Methodology
All data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending. Data on spending on ads was also compiled from ad purchase contracts posted by the FCC and from state disclosure databases when available.