BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Tom Truman has been appointed by the Raleigh County Commission to serve as the county’s prosecuting attorney until a special election is held in 2026.
The office will have to be placed on the next primary election ballot, according to West Virginia Code, which isn’t until 2026.
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Truman’s appointment follows the resignation of former Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield in October, amid allegations of workplace misconduct.
He was sworn in Thursday morning immediately following his appointment.
Hatfield, who had been running for re-election as a Republican, had one write-in opponent in the November election.
Although Hatfield won the race, he announced in his resignation letter that he would not serve if re-elected, necessitating the commission’s appointment of a successor to fill the position for the remainder of the term.
Since Hatfield’s departure, Truman has been overseeing the prosecution of cases, including the high-profile Natalie Cochran case.
As of this report, no candidates have formally declared their intention to run for the office in the 2026 special election.
Commissioners Linda K. Epling and Daniel Hall were also sworn-in Thursday morning following their election victories in November.
