Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 19, 1995 TAG: 9501200069
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Christiansburg lawyer Henry Whitehurst received the endorsement of the Montgomery-Floyd-Radford Bar Association to replace William F. Thomas Jr., who is retiring as a Juvenile and Domestic Court judge in December.
Whitehurst, 50 and starting his 23rd year practicing law, picked up a majority of the 55 ballots cast at the bar association's meeting Wednesday afternoon. Because there are five candidates vying for the judgeship, some of those voting had expected a runoff, but it was unnecessary.
Other candidates for the judgeship are Woody Lookabill, Pulaski County's Circuit Court clerk; Victoria Robison, an assistant public defender; Wayne Sawyers, a Dublin lawyer and substitute judge; and David Warburton, chief public defender for Radford and the counties of Pulaski, Wythe and Bland.
Lookabill last week received the endorsement of the Pulaski County Bar Association. He also picked up an endorsement from the Giles County Bar Association on Wednesday. The Wythe County Bar met Tuesday night but decided to delay making an endorsement.
The Grayson County-Galax Bar Association will meet Jan. 26.
Thomas, who lives in Pulaski and presides in Pulaski, Wythe and Bland counties, is resigning Dec. 31 after more than 20 years on the bench serving the 27th Judicial District.
The 27th Judicial District includes Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Pulaski, Wythe, Bland, Grayson and Carroll counties and the cities of Galax and Radford.
After the local bar associations endorse candidates, the legislature's Courts of Justice Committee interviews them and the Democratic caucuses of the House and Senate make a recommendation, which is sent to the entire General Assembly for approval.
by CNB