CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin said he does not see a run for Congress in West Virginia’s Second District in his future.
On Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline,” he was asked if he was thinking about getting into that race in 2014.
“It’s an interesting rumor,” Justice Benjamin replied.
“Is it true?” asked Hoppy Kercheval, MetroNews “Talkline” host.
“Is the rumor true? Am I thinking about it? I’ve had people talk about it. I’m thinking about finishing the term as Chief Justice,” said Benjamin who is currently serving the 12 year term on the Supreme Court he was elected to in 2004.
He said he is proud of the work the Supreme Court is doing, citing the expanding drug courts and appellate reforms as examples.
“I have no desire to leave something that’s going forward so well right now,” said Benjamin. “We have a great Court, but we’re not done yet, I think, with what we can do for this state.”
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, nine candidates, including three Democrats, five Republicans and one Mountain Party candidate, have already filed pre-candidacy papers to run for the U.S. House in the Second District next year.
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) currently holds that seat. She is running for U.S. Senate in 2014.