Maynard seeks another 12 years

By BRETT DUNLAP, bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG — West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elliott “Spike” Maynard said while lawyers can apparently give donations to a candidate seeking a judge’s post without raising an eyebrow, companies giving donations are still accused of trying to buy the court’s favor.

Maynard, a Democrat, is seeking another 12-year term on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

‘‘Lawyers every day give campaign contributions to judges,’’ Maynard said. ‘‘They have given them to me and everyone in the race.

‘‘Lawyers have million-dollar cases pending before those judges. No one fusses about that.’’

Maynard said it is a problem that goes way beyond the races for judges.

Presidential candidates raise millions of dollars a week from all kinds of interests.

‘‘The influence of money in politics at the national level, at the local level and from the White House to the courthouse is a problem,’’ Maynard said.

There is no clear solution, he said.

Having judges appointed would change the money situation where no one would have to raise money to run, he said. Going to a non-partisan election, would cut the money in half where there would only be one election to worry about.

It also gets rid of the money that follows around political parties.

However, a selection process has the potential for harsh criticism, because the politics are limited to a few people making the selections or guiding who would be selected.

‘‘Any system you use has a real downside to it,’’ Maynard said.

‘‘There is no perfect way to pick judges.

‘‘You give me the system and I will tell you what the problems are with it.’’

Maynard was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals in November 1996.

He served as chief justice in 2000 and 2004.