Hustead takes circuit judge contest

HUNTINGTON -- Cabell County Assistant Prosecutor Jane Hustead will be the county's newest circuit judge, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's primary.

Hustead will take over the third division of the state's Sixth Judicial Circuit. The Republican Party did not field a candidate for the position. The office is held by outgoing Circuit Judge John Cummings.

Hustead captured 53 percent of the vote. She defeated former assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Farrell. Hustead received 7,690 votes, while Farrell received 6,817.

Both candidates could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Hustead has said she would bring an open mind and strong work ethic to the office. She said some delays cannot be avoided, but she believed she has the conviction to hold attorneys' "feet to the fire" to reduce unnecessary delays. She also supports lighter sentences to assist in rehabilitating first-time offenders, but she said she will revoke probation for those who commit new crimes.

Ronald Anderson and Patricia Keller won re-election as family court judges in Cabell County, according to unofficial results. Both were unopposed in the Democratic Primary and no Republicans filed for the office.

Anderson received 9,008 votes, and Keller received 10,236 votes in a separate race.