Tomblin appoints new Mingo judge

Earl Ray Tomblin appointed the Mingo County Family Court judge Tuesday to be the next Mingo County circuit judge.

Judge Miki Thompson, who won last week’s Democratic Party primary for the circuit judge’s seat, will now fill the vacancy created last year when Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury lost his seat on the bench after pleading guilty to a federal criminal charge.

Instead of appointing someone right away, Tomblin waited for Mingo County residents to decide on Election Day. They chose Thompson, who is unopposed in the general election. Now she’ll serve until that time. A win in November will allow her to fill the rest of Thornsbury’s term.

“Miki has a track record of working for West Virginia families during her time as a Family Court Judge for the 8th Circuit,” Gov. Tomblin said in a news release. “I believe she will continue her commitment to serving the people and the families of Mingo County well in her new role as Circuit Judge.”

The governor also appointed Lewisburg attorney Robert Richardson as circuit judge in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. He replaces Judge Joseph C. Pomponio Jr., who retired.