Judge Debra Scudiere used to start her talks by telling her follow attorneys how much she loved being a lawyer.
“Now that I’m in my dream job I can sincerely say I love being your judge,” Scudiere told the gathered crowd at Erickson Alumni Center on Thursday during her election campaign kickoff.
Scudiere is the only one of Monongalia County’s three Circuit Court judges who has to run for election in 2020, she explained. She was appointed by Gov. Jim Justice to fill the void left by Judge Russell Clawges when he retired in January.
Whichever judge wins the election will hold the position for four years before having to run again.
Scudiere said being a judge is a challenging but rewarding job because every decision she makes has an immediate impact.
She said she tries to treat everyone with respect and even when she sends someone to prison she always wishes them well and hopes for them to turn their life around.
Attorney Scott Radman, who practices federal and criminal defense, said he’s appeared before Scudiere three times since she took the bench and in those cases she’s always been fair to both parties.
Others seeking election for various offices in 2020 — including Joe Statler, Delegate Danielle Walker, Delegate Barbra Fleischauer, County Assessor Mark Musick and County Clerk Carye Blaney — were also in attendance.
Walker said she came to the event to learn more about Scudiere. She said she liked what she heard Scudiere say and that the country needs more judges who deal with people respectfully and treat people humanely.
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