CHARLESTON, W.V. (AP) - Two more West Virginia circuit judges may seek to elevate their positions within the state's court system.
Judges J.D. Beane and Christopher Wilkes filed pre-candidacy papers within the last month for the state Supreme Court.
The top two vote-getters in the 2012 general election will win full, 12-year terms on the state's highest court.
But first, candidates for justice must clear the May party primaries.
Beane is a Democrat presiding out of Wood County. Other Democratic pre-candidates include incumbent Justice Robin Davis, Circuit Judge Jim Rowe of Greenbrier County, and former State Bar President Tish Chafin.
Wilkes is a Republican judge in the Eastern Panhandle. The GOP pre-candidates are fellow panhandle Judge John Yoder and former Supreme Court law clerk Allen Loughry.
The official candidate filing period begins Jan. 9.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
