CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston attorney Tera Salango filed Tuesday to run for Kanawha County Circuit Judge.
Salango, who previously served 11 years as Kanawha County assistant prosecutor, filed to take part in the race for the seat previously occupied by Judge Jim Stucky, who retired in April due to health reasons.
Gov. Jim Justice appointed Dan Greear to fill the remainder of Stucky’s term. Greear has been serving since July 23.
Salango said she has the skills necessary to excel in the judicial post.
“I love the courtroom. I love my community and figured that’s the best platform for me,” she said.
Salango said she was inspired to become an attorney following the murder of her brother Todd in 1993.
“We had to sit through two trials because one was overturned by the Supreme Court. I can remember, as a young girl, watching the trial and thinking to myself, ‘I could do this. This is the job I want for the rest of my life,'” she said.
Salango said along the way, she became interested in serving in a judicial position.
“I see that position of one of privilege, of privilege to serve the people of the community,” she said.
Salango began working at the law firm of Preston and Salango in 2016, where she handles civil law cases. Salango’s husband, Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango, owns the law office.
Salango graduated from Nitro High School and is an alumna of West Virginia State University and the West Virginia University College of Law.