Assembly returns 46 judges to the bench

Virginia legislators re-elected 46 incumbent trial court judges in the first round of judicial selection at this year’s General Assembly. One new circuit judge was among those elected Jan. 16. One sitting judge was left off the list without explanation.

Botetourt County Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom was elected to the circuit bench, succeeding retired Judge Malfourd “Bo” Trumbo. Branscom’s 8-year judicial term begins Feb. 1.

The eligible incumbent absent from the list of elected judges was Dickenson County Circuit Judge Henry Vanover. The former Clintwood attorney has presided on the bench since 2002 and interviewed with legislators on Dec. 8.

No reason for Vanover’s omission was given as the Assembly went through the election process. Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Lebanon, who represents that district and serves on the Senate Courts Committee, did not respond to requests for information.

Included on the list of re-elected judges was J. David Rigler of the Chesterfield County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He faced questions from legislators in two sessions as the Assembly got underway, explaining how he intended to overcome weak judicial survey results regarding his patience, courtesy and respect for court participants.

Another judge whose term is ending this year had earlier announced plans to retire. Clarence “Bud” Phillips sits in Wise County General District Court.

The Assembly also returned Judge Judith W. Jagdmann to the State Corporation Commission and Commissioner Wesley G. Marshall to the state Workers’ Compensation Commission for new terms.

The Assembly is scheduled to vote on new judges on March 1.

The full list of trial judges elected Jan. 16 is below.

Circuit Court Judges

1. Stephen C. Mahan, 2^nd Judicial Circuit
2. Kenneth R. Melvin, 3^rd Judicial Circuit
3. Frederick G. Rockwell III, 12^th Judicial Circuit
4. Beverly W. Snukals, 13^th Judicial Circuit
5. Michael F. Devine, 19^th Judicial Circuit
6. Brett A. Kassabian, 19^th Judicial Circuit
7. William D. Broadhurst, 23^rd Judicial Circuit
8. Charles N. Dorsey, 23^rd Judicial Circuit
9. Joel R. Branscom, 25^th Judicial Circuit (non-incumbent)
10. Michael Lee Moore, 29^th Judicial Circuit

General District Court Judges

1. Michael R. Katchmark, 1^st Judicial District
2. Daniel R. Lahne, 2^nd Judicial District
3. Gordon S. Vincent, Judicial District 2-A
4. Roxie O. Holder, 3^rd Judicial District
5. Clark Daugherty, 4^th Judicial District
6. Bruce A. Clark Jr., 6^th Judicial District
7. Thomas L. Vaughn, 12^th Judicial District
8. Neil Steverson, 14^th Judicial District
9. Lisa A. Mayne, 19^th Judicial District
10. Mark C. Simmons, 19^th Judicial District
11. Frank Buttery Jr. 20^th Judicial District
12. Deborah C. Welsh, 20^th Judicial District
13. George A. Jones Jr., 22^nd Judicial District
14. Sam D. Eggleston III, 24^th Judicial District
15. Dale Houff, 26^th Judicial District
16. D. Bolt, 27^th Judicial District
17. Blake McKinney, 28^th Judicial District
18. William E. Jarvis, 31^st Judicial District

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges

1. Tanya Bullock, 2^nd Judicial District
2. Barry G. Logsdon, 7^th Judicial District
3. Wade A. Bowie, 9^th Judicial District
4. Cressondra B. Conyers, 9^th Judicial District
5. Valentine W. Southall, Jr., 11^th Judicial District
6. David Rigler, 12^th Judicial District
7. Ashley K. Tunner, 13^th Judicial District
8. Margaret W. Deglau, 14^th Judicial District
9. Rondelle D. Herman, 14^th Judicial District
10. Randall G. Johnson, Jr., 14^th Judicial District
11. Ronald L. Morris, 16^th Judicial District
12. Frank W. Somerville, 16^th Judicial District
13. Gayl Branum Carr, 19^th Judicial District
14. Glenn L. Clayton II, 19^th Judicial District
15. Sarah A. Rice, 22^nd Judicial District
16. Brian H. Turpin, 22^nd Judicial District
17. Cary Payne, 24^th Judicial District
18. Lee Chitwood, 27^th Judicial District
19. Monica D. Cox, 27^th Judicial District