Effects of Maynard-Massey-Monaco Scandal Linger

The Herald-Dispatch examines West Virginia's process for selecting it judicial officers -- partisan elections -- as an issue during the ongoing legislative session.

"With two Supreme Court seats and a host of circuit judgeships up for election this year, the idea of nonpartisan judicial races is being revived," the Huntington newspaper reports. "Throw in a controversy involving the chief judge of the state's highest court, and the issue has become a focus of many state lawmakers."

Offering a breakdown of how the other states pick their judges, the Herald-Dispatch said the debate was renewed "when photos surfaced showing Massey Energy executive Don Blankenship and Supreme Court Justice Elliott 'Spike' Maynard together on the French Riviera during what the two said were separate vacations."

If further notes the Blankenship-related recusal requests made of Justice Brent Benjamin.