By LAWRENCE MESSINA - Associated Press Writer - Associated Press
Friday, January 29, 2010
More that a year after Democratic voters rejected his re-election bid, former state Supreme Court Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard has left that party and joined West Virginia's GOP.
Records show Maynard switched to the Republican Party late last year. The 67-year-old could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Maynard had been a Mingo County Circuit judge when he won a Supreme Court seat in 1996. But he lost the 2008 primary loss amid a conflict-of-interest scandal involving photos showing him socializing in Monaco with coal executive Don Blankenship.
Blankenship runs Massey Energy Co., which had several major cases before the court at the time. Maynard cited his longtime friendship with Blankenship while denying any impropriety, but also removed himself from all Massey-related cases before his defeat.
Recent polling has sought to measure Maynard's chances against U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall. The 3rd District Democrat has come under fire from some in the coal industry as it decries increased federal scrutiny of mining permits.
The Democratic Party had long supported Maynard's past political efforts, Chairman Nick Casey said Friday.
"Loyalty is one of the personal and political attributes West Virginians most respect," Casey said. "If that loyalty is betrayed, it really diminishes everyone's confidence in that person."
But Casey's GOP counterpart believes Maynard "has finally come home to his true beliefs."
"I think he's been in the wrong party all of his life," Chairman Doug McKinney said. "We would welcome someone of his character and integrity in the Republican Party."
McKinney had endorsed Maynard's 2008 Supreme Court campaign. While unaware of any 2010 election plans Maynard may have, McKinney noted that at least two Republicans have already filed to challenge Rahall.
