Magistrate Qualls in hospital

HUNTINGTON — A suspended Cabell County magistrate seeking re-election has been hospitalized at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Alvie Qualls, 78, was suspended last month by the state Supreme Court of Appeals following a judicial hearing board ruling that he sexually harassed co-workers and was incompetent to hold office.

Qualls is among 18 Democratic candidates on Tuesday’s primary election ballot seeking seven slots in the November general election for magistrate. The seven winners in the Democratic primary will face four Republicans in the general election this fall. The magistrate’s job pays about $50,000.

He was listed in stable condition Sunday afternoon at St. Mary’s, according to a nursing supervisor. She couldn’t say why he was hospitalized.

Qualls was suspended with pay earlier this year. He has denied any wrongdoing. Despite the conviction, he could be re-elected. The hearing board has recommended Qualls be forced to retire; however, that would be up to the Supreme Court of Appeals.

He has served as a magistrate for some 26 years