BUCKHANNON — The Upshur County Commission is set to interview one applicant today to fill the unexpired term of Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney.

Bryan Hinkle, currently an assistant prosecutor in Lewis County, was the lone applicant to apply for the position, county administrator Carrie Wallace confirmed this week.

Hinkle said he had planned to file to run for the position on the 2020 ballot after learning that prosecuting attorney David Godwin would not be seeking another term. When he learned that Godwin was retiring early from the position, Hinkle decided to apply to fill the vacancy and submitted his letter of interest early.

Hinkle said he was surprised that no one else applied for the unexpired term but noted that one of the requirements was to be a Republican, the same party as Godwin.

“I tell everyone jokingly that I’m the best candidate they have right now,” he said.

If appointed to the position, Hinkle brings experience including prosecuting cases in four different counties.

He earned his juris doctorate from West Virginia University School of Law, clerked for now retired 26th Judicial Circuit Judge Thomas Keadle, served as assistant prosecutor in Upshur County focusing solely on domestic violence cases and later worked in private practice before filling assistant prosecutor roles in other counties, most recently in Lewis County.

He intends to file to run for the seat in January.

Hinkle said if selected to be the Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney he will be aggressive as a prosecutor but also wants to work with the system to reduce the regional jail bill and also to strive to make sure more court fees are being collected from cases that will bring in needed revenue.

Godwin’s last day is Nov. 30 and the person the county commissions appoints would become prosecuting attorney Dec. 1 and serve through the next election.

The commission previously said they would make an announcement to fill the vacancy at the Nov. 21 meeting.