Kanawha circuit judge stepping down

Longtime Kanawha County Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib will retire at the end of August. The judge submitted his letter of resignation to the state Supreme Court Monday. The governor’s office was also notified.

Zakaib, 81, was actually appointed twice to the position. The first time in 1986 for Circuit Judge Robert Smith, who retired. Zakaib lost the election for the seat and then was re-appointed when Kanawha County Circuit Judge Margaret Workman took a seat on the state Supreme Court.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will have the final say on Zakaib’s replacement. Zakaib is a Republican.