CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Longtime West Virginia Democratic politician and jurist Warren McGraw has died. He was 84.
McGraw, who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, died Wednesday.
The disease was the reason McGraw left the bench as a Wyoming County circuit judge in May 2021.
“It is with great regret and sadness that, after 55 years of service to my fellow citizens of Wyoming County and the State of West Virginia, I must retire as circuit judge of the 27th Judicial Circuit,” McGraw wrote in his resignation letter. “As a result of my physical impairments due to Parkinson’s Disease, it has become too difficult to fulfill the duties of Judge in this great state of West Virginia.”
The circuit judgeship was the last stop in elected office for McGraw who was a force in Democratic politics in the southern coalfields for decades.
McGraw was a two-term member of West Virginia’s House of Delegates and then served three terms in the state Senate, rising to become president.
He left the Senate to run for governor but didn’t win the Democratic primary. He returned to Wyoming County, where he was elected to the local school board and then became prosecutor.
McGraw, a lifelong Democrat, had a remarkable life–state legislator, senate president, supreme court justice, chief justice, circuit judge, prosecutor, local school board member. He was also the brother of former AG and state supreme court justice Darrel McGraw.
— Hoppy Kercheval (@HoppyKercheval) June 15, 2023
In 1998, McGraw campaigned for an unexpired six-year term on the state Supreme Court and won. He served as chief justice in 2001.
During the 2004 campaign for a full term on the Supreme Court, McGraw participated in one of the most contentious races in state history. A political action committee called “And For the Sake of the Kids,” backed by coal executive Don Blankenship,” pounded McGraw with advertisements.
One incident from that campaign resulted in a memorable political moment. McGraw was campaigning at a Labor Day rally when he spotted a political tracker. The justice’s animated reaction became known as “The Scream at Racine” and became fodder for ads that were used against him.
McGraw lost his reelection campaign for the Supreme Court to Brent Benjamin, who had been supported by business groups.
McGraw returned again to Wyoming County and won races for circuit judge in 2008 and 2016.
There was lots of reaction in connection with McGraw’s death.
United Mine Workers Union President Cecil Roberts:
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of a true champion for working people. Warren McGraw was the definition of a working-class hero. From 1969 when he stood on the floor of the West Virginia legislature and made his fiery speech for Black Lung Benefits to his advocacy for Health and Safety Legislation, he was always on worker’s side.
“As the son of a disabled coal miner, McGraw knew the struggles that faced coal mining families in West Virginia, and he dedicated his life to fighting for miner’s and their families. We have lost a warrior. We have lost a friend. The entire UMWA Family grieve for the McGraw’s loved ones and have them in our prayers.”
State Senate President Craig Blair
“Though he may be most remembered for his public service as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Justice McGraw proudly served the people of Wyoming County as their Senator, and he never forgot his deep, proud southern West Virginia roots. On behalf of the entire West Virginia Senate, I send my prayers to the family and friends former Senate President Warren McGraw during their time of sorrow.”
MetroNews Statewide Correspondent Brad McElhinny contributed to this story.