Tabit cites her legal experience in race for Supreme Court
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Craig Howell
Joanna Tabit, candidate for West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, was in Weirton Friday, discussing her campaign and her hopes for the court if elected. Tabit is part of a field of four candidates seeking to fill the seat currently held by Justice Margaret Workman, who is retiring.
WEIRTON -- Joanna Tabit believes she is the best candidate on this year's ballot to hold the office of justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
Tabit was in Weirton Friday, discussing her candidacy, and citing her years of legal and judicial experience as reasons to select her for the job.
This is the second time Tabit has sought a seat on West Virginia's highest court. She was part of the ballot as part of the 2018 special election, coming in second place to Tim Armstead in a field of 10 to fill an unexpired term on the court.
"We're building on that," Tabit said. "We want to show folks everywhere we're out there and committed to doing this."
Filing her precandidacy papers in May 2019, Tabot, of Charleston, is now part of a field of four hoping to fill the spot currently held by Justice Margaret Workman, who has chosen to retire from the bench. It is for a 12-year term and will be decided with the May primary election.
Tabit is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law, beginning her professional career as the personal law clerk to former Supreme Court Justice Thomas McHugh. She has worked as an associate with the firm Shuman, Annand & Poe in Charleston, served in the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General from 1989 to 1992, was with Steptoe & Johnson from 1992 to 2014 before being appointed to the 13th Judicial Circuit.
As a judge in the 13th Circuit, Tabit has been a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission, Business Court, the Mass Litigation Panel, and been presiding judge over the Kanawha County Juvenile Drug Court.
She also spent time as an adjunct lecturer at WVU from 2012 to 2013.
"Now, more than ever, our court needs proven, qualified judges," she said. "I've spent my entire professional life in the courtroom."
Tabit said her experiences in the drug courts have been the most rewarding of her career, as she feels it helps to address the growing issues of opioid abuse in West Virginia, working directly with some of the youngest individuals affected by the crisis.
Collaborating with the individual, law enforcement officials, schools and other agencies, the court provides a program emphasizing both recovery and education.
"When they graduate, it's a happy day for them and a happy day for their family," Tabit said. "You feel you're making a difference."
According to Tabit, approximately 60 percent of the judicial workload in West Virginia can be traced, in some way, to drug abuse. She feels that has to be a focus for the Supreme Court.
"It has to be on the forefront," she said.
She also notes, if elected, she wants to work on making certain the Supreme Court is accessible to West Virginians, through administrative programs making its work better understandable, more affordable and more convenient.
Tabit said she has enjoyed the campaign, getting out at night and on weekends to meet with the voters and learn more about their needs.
"This isn't just a campaign, for me. It's a commitment," she said.
In addition to Tabit, candidates for Division 2 on the ballot are Jim Douglas, who has served as family court judge in the 11th family court circuit since 2016; Putnam County Assistant Prosecutor Kristina Raynes and former legislator William Wooten.