by Ron Gregory
ronjgregory@gmail.com
CHARLESTON – The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission has made its recommendations for supreme court justice replacements to Governor Jim Justice.
In a letter provided to the governor today, the JVAC recommended four attorneys to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Justice Menis Ketchum and five to fill the spot vacated by the resignation of Justice Robin Davis.
The governor has scheduled an 11 a.m., Saturday press conference where speculation has centered on the likelihood that he will name who he is designating as the two new justices. In November, voters will select successors to complete the terms of Ketchum (two years) and Davis (six years).
For the first vacancy, the commission recommended former House Speaker Tim Armstead, Stephen R. Crislip, Robert J. Frank and D.C. Offutt, Jr. For the second vacancy, they recommended Greg Chiartas, James Flanagan, Representative Evan Jenkins, William Schwartz and Marvin Sheehan.