10 December 2007

Supreme Court Candidate Boasts FR Haul

Huntington lawyer Menis Ketchum says a Huntington fundraiser brought in more than $250,000 last week for his 2008 state Supreme Court campaign.

A release issued by Ketchum, a Democrat, lists Manchin rainmaker Bob Shell as a sponsor of the event. Other supporters include Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, D-Mingo and a trial lawyer, and business owner and former lawmaker Oshel Craigo.

The Charleston Gazette's Phil Kabler notes the event while also observing that "Justice Elliott 'Spike” Maynard hosted a fundraiser Thursday in Morgantown that brought in an estimated' $100,000."

Two, 12-year terms on the five seat court are up in 2008.

5 comments:

clear eyes said...

Just what we need to scare more companies away from the state - another trial lawyer justice on our Supreme Court.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, because look how well over the course of our state's history that "trial lawyers" have prevented large companies from padding their pockets with their big coal and energy profits. So many companies have come to WV and made so little profit-Why DO they bother? My heart literally aches for Big Business. When will they get a break? It sounds like someone is drinking the US Chamber of Commerce Kool-Aid.

Unknown said...

anonymous@5:27,

If you think West Virginia has a positive climate for businesses, you are sadly misinformed. Big coal is here because you can't dig coal mines in mexico or florida, you have to dig them where the coal is.

I think Clear Eyes was talking about manufacturing and service industry jobs, the backbone of our economy, which are soon to be gone because of the anti-free market actions of our state government (including supreme court)

Anonymous said...

I think I understand precisely what Clear Eyes was saying about our state's business climate. I think that our legislature needs to stop our state from giving HUGE tax breaks to companies who come here with the promise of jobs and deliver NOTHING, then pull up stakes and leave within ten years. I also believe that our state's lack of vision about the types of jobs we need to attract here and the value of adequate infrastructure for such jobs has been a definite hindrance to our business climate. I do not buy however the Chamber's never ending mantra that the blame all lies at the feet of trial lawyers. I am sure you realize that is a gross oversimplification. This is a tough state to sell. Our geography makes it difficult for cities to grow, and our backwater conservative reputation isn't exactly appealing to those young folks in the tech field who might want to come here and telecommute no matter how low the cost of living may be. The situation is more nuanced than tort reformers would like the public to believe. I love how everyone hates lawyers until THEY need one. And to be clear, I am NOT a lawyer.

Anonymous said...

I think I understand precisely what Clear Eyes was saying about our state's business climate. I think that our legislature needs to stop our state from giving HUGE tax breaks to companies who come here with the promise of jobs and deliver NOTHING, then pull up stakes and leave within ten years. I also believe that our state's lack of vision about the types of jobs we need to attract here and the value of adequate infrastructure for such jobs has been a definite hindrance to our business climate. I do not buy however the Chamber's never ending mantra that the blame all lies at the feet of trial lawyers. I am sure you realize that is a gross oversimplification. This is a tough state to sell. Our geography makes it difficult for cities to grow, and our backwater conservative reputation isn't exactly appealing to those young folks in the tech field who might want to come here and telecommute no matter how low the cost of living may be. The situation is more nuanced than tort reformers would like the public to believe. I love how everyone hates lawyers until THEY need one. And to be clear, I am NOT a lawyer.