HUNTINGTON -- Jane Hustead said her stomach was in her throat much of Tuesday evening, as she watched voters help her dream come true.
Hustead used her personal savings and a grassroots campaign to defeat former federal prosecutor Paul T. Farrell in the race for circuit judge in Cabell County.
Hustead is believed to be the first woman elected to serve as circuit judge in the county, according to both candidates and other judicial officers. She believed her no-contribution campaign and the success of presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton helped her win the judicial seat.
"There is no doubt about it," she said. "It could have been an entirely different race if West Virginia hadn't been so excited about (Clinton). I will fully concede to that. It's got women galvanized."
Hustead defeated Farrell by 873 votes, or a 53-percent to 47-percent margin, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's election.
The victor was outspent by an estimated 3-to-1 margin. Farrell spent $77,254.16 in comparison to Hustead's $29,367.26. Farrell's war chest included $57,049.79 in contributions and $65,000 of his own money, according to the most recent campaign finance reports.
"I'm disappointed," he said. "I think probably her grassroots campaign outdid the media campaign. I ran a heavy media of TV, newspaper and direct mailings."
Farrell said he congratulates Hustead and wishes her well. He said has no regrets about running a positive campaign, but he was concerned Hustead attempted to question his integrity because he accepted contributions and she didn't.
Hustead said that was never her intent. She recalled stressing to voters there was nothing wrong with someone accepting contributions. Her no-contribution campaign was inspired by her longtime boyfriend, Putnam Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding.
"It was just door-to-door, calling people, meeting groups of people," she said. "I can't tell you how much people responded to that and appreciated it. They said 'We're so tired of people buying elections.'"
Hustead said the hard work lies ahead. The Republican Party did not field a candidate in the race, so that means she will replace outgoing Circuit Judge John Cummings in January.
Cummings' caseload mainly consists of civil litigation. Returning circuit judges Dan O'Hanlon and Alfred Ferguson handle the circuit's criminal matters.
The circuit's four judges, which will include Hustead and returning Judge David Pancake, will discuss any changes at a later date. Hustead believes there is some discussion about changing the overall format or individual assignments. If nothing changes, Hustead said she will get up to speed on civil litigation.
"As I told everyone else, I'm prepared to study as hard as it takes to do the civil part," she said. "I will not come to court unprepared. Ever. I have too much personal pride in my own being."
Hustead said she hopes to restore faith in the court system, and she said that comment includes Cabell County's system. She hopes to limit delays, but she admits enforcing that tough stance will be difficult. She will pattern her career after Spaulding.
"I'm like everybody else. If I can drag my feet, I'll drag my feet. So it's going to be a mindset change for me, too," she said. "(Spaulding) has got one of the best run dockets in the world. So I'm going to try to take instructions from him.
"He's my inspiration. He is a great judge. If I can be half as good as he does, I'll be proud of myself."
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