BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Today, Judge H. L. “Kirk” Kirkpatrick announced his candidacy for Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, seeking to fill the vacancy created by the tragic passing of Justice Tim Armstead.
“Justice Armstead served our state with dignity and scrupulous devotion to upholding the Constitution,” Judge Kirkpatrick said. “If elected, I intend to continue his passion for fairness and his commitment to ensuring that every West Virginian is treated with honesty, respect, and impartial justice.”
Judge Kirkpatrick brings more than three decades of judicial experience to the race, having served as Chief Judge of the Raleigh County Circuit Court, where he profoundly shaped the lives of individuals, families, and communities across West Virginia. His tenure on the bench includes presiding over major civil matters and numerous high-profile criminal cases, including the nationally televised State v. Natalie Cochran, for which he received broad and bipartisan acclaim.
“There is simply no substitute for experience,” Judge Kirkpatrick noted. “My years on the trial court bench have provided me with a deep understanding of the law, a steady judicial temperament, and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the people I serve. That experience will be the foundation of my work on our state’s highest court.”
Judge Kirkpatrick administered a Juvenile Drug Court for ten years, and observed, “My Treatment Team and I worked diligently and successfully to save the lives of many young addicts in our communities.” He has served as a long-term member of the West Virginia Judicial Investigation Committee, which is responsible for addressing ethics complaints filed against judges and magistrates. Over the years, he has sat on the Supreme Court bench by special assignment on multiple occasions. In January of 2025, he was awarded Senior Judge status and continues to preside over cases in that capacity, most recently in Fayette County.
“Judge Kirk” is a member of The United Methodist Temple in Beckley. Married for fifty years, he and his wife, Becky, are the parents of grown twin sons. Kirk and Becky live in Beckley with their bulldog, Stogie, and their bull terrier, Lily.
A lifelong West Virginian, Judge Kirkpatrick emphasized his love for the state and his desire to continue contributing to its judicial system at the highest level.
“I am proud of our state and its people,” he said. “West Virginians deserve a Supreme Court Justice who is honest, fair, and fully committed to equal justice under the law. I am running because I believe I can continue to serve our state with the integrity and dedication everybody deserves.
Judge Kirkpatrick will run a campaign that shares his vision and reaffirms his commitment to keeping West Virginia’s courts impartial, respected, and rooted in constitutional principles.
