1996 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals special election

1996 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals special election

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Nominee Robin Davis David M. Pancake Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 318,955 217,772 Percentage 59.43% 40.57%

Justice before election Franklin Cleckley Democratic Elected Justice Robin Davis Democratic

The 1996 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals special election took place on November 5, 1996, to elect a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia for the next four years. The election was held to complete the unexpired term of Democratic Justice Thomas B. Miller, who retired in August 1994. Democratic governor Gaston Caperton appointed Franklin Cleckley to fill the vacancy. Cleckley chose not to contest the election.

Democratic nominee and Charleston lawyer Robin Davis beat Republican nominee and Huntington attorney David M. Pancake. ^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Robin Davis, Charleston lawyer. ^[2]

Eliminated in primary

• Daniel C. Staggers, Keyser lawyer, son of Harley O. Staggers, brother of Harley O. Staggers Jr., and candidate for Attorney General in 1984. ^[3]
• Booker T. Stephens, chief judge of the 8th judicial circuit from McDowell County. ^{[4] [5]}

Withdrew

• Franklin Cleckley, incumbent Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals. ^[6]

Results

May 14, 1996 Democratic primary ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robin Davis	121,569	45.02%
	Democratic	Daniel C. Staggers	93,658	34.68%
	Democratic	Booker T. Stephens	54,813	20.30%
Total votes			270,040	100.00%

General election

Results

1996 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals special election ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robin Davis	318,955	59.43%
	Republican	David M. Pancake	217,772	40.57%
Total votes			536,727	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Candidates big worry is how to get the job". Williamson Daily News . October 14, 1996.
2. "Voters may undo court". Williamson Daily News . February 12, 1996.
3. "Fund raiser to be held for Staggers". Point Pleasant Register . April 3, 1996.
4. "Booker Stephens". Williamson Daily News . May 10, 1996.
5. "Stephens to address Williamson NAACP". Williamson Daily News . November 17, 1995.
6. "Supreme Court candidates discuss lawsuit abuse". Williamson Daily News . March 25, 1996.
7. "West Virginia Blue Book - 1996 - Page 554" (PDF). West Virginia Legislature.
8. "West Virginia Blue Book - 1997 - Page 715" (PDF). West Virginia Legislature.