It should be a good day Friday, December 3, when Boone and Lincoln counties officially welcome the newest Circuit Judge, Stacy Lynn Nowicki-Eldridge.
I’ve already issued the disclaimer that Judge Nowicki-Eldridge, her family and I are personal friends. Even if I can’t offer an impartial word about her, I don’t think anyone has any real legitimate criticism.
Some who have clashed with her in her various state roles over the years got upset with her. That was because, although she’s kind and compassionate to a fault, she sticks to her guns and always advocates for what she believes is the right thing on public issues.
She is uniquely qualified to follow in the footsteps of her distinguished predecessor, Judge now U.S. Attorney Will Thompson. They don’t get any better than Judge Thompson.
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To critical readers who say I am constantly negative and only say bad things about people, I’d like to point out that I just heaped praise on Judges Thompson and Nowicki-Eldridge.
Either way, if a column subject deserves it, they get it. And these two are ideal public servants.
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The Twenty-Fifth Judicial Circuit ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, in the Boone County Courthouse Circuit Courtroom. The public is invited to come and wish Judge Nowicki-Eldridge well.
Remember that the Boone County Commission still requires masks for visitors in the courthouse.
I’ve already given you, in a previous column, her experience and qualifications. Suffice it to say here that nobody better qualified could have been chosen. It WILL be a great day in Madison.
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As I also reported before, the new judge’s husband, Jeff Eldridge, is taking the 2022 election cycle off for himself to campaign for his wife’s election.
The former House of Delegates representative asked me to remind his supporters that he intends to run for office again in the future.
“Tell them I haven’t quit,” Eldridge said. “I want to put all my effort into getting Stacy elected and then I”ll be on the campaign trail for myself.”
It had been speculated that Jeff Eldridge might run again for the House or he might seek the new Boone, Lincoln, Logan and part of Kanawha State Senate seat.
Eldridge said “a lot of people asked me to run for that Senate seat. First, I wouldn’t run against Doc (Stollings, the Democrat incumbent) and I just want to help Stacy.”
It could have been an interesting race if Eldridge ran for Senate. As is, Stollings is the clear favorite to win nomination against his likely Republican opponent, Lincoln Delegate Zack Maynard.
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Kanawha Commissioner Ben Salango may have already set a fundraising record for one event. Lord, it may be a record for an entire campaign and it’s only December.
How much did he raise you ask? The answer is $84,346. Wow!
The total likely shows the level of support the Democrat lawyer has for re-election. Republicans are scrambling to find someone who would even put his or her name on the ballot against Salango.
By example, Republican Lance Wheeler raised a total of $16,518 for his 2020 commission campaign while Democrat Mark Hunt raised $33,634. In 2018, Democrat Commission President Kent Carper raised a total of $69,986, which might be the current record.
Need I say that anyone choosing to take on Salango in 2022 should have a big war chest and be prepared to spend it?