Nestor
ELKINS — Delegate Ty Nestor, R-66th District, who recently said he will not seek re-election, has announced his candidacy for Randolph County’s second circuit court judicial seat, which will be on the ballot for the first time in 2024.
“As a Circuit Judge, who presides over many local cases, I will be able to strengthen the people’s confidence in our judicial system on a larger scale by way of attitude, hard work, and past experiences,” Nestor said.
“I have always treated my occupation as an attorney as a lifestyle rather than a job, and I have come to the conclusion that I will be happiest ending my legal career in a role that provides me with an opportunity to make the biggest difference.”
With the passing of House Bill 3332 that was signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice earlier this year, Randolph County will be required to have a second circuit judge beginning in the year 2025.
The second judge position will be on the ballot for the May 2024 primary election, and the new judge’s first day in office will be on New Year’s Day 2025. The bill created new judicial circuits for the state and assigned the number of judges each one will have.
“My paramount goal will be to completely eliminate politically motivated decisions from the courtroom so that all judicial rulings can be respected by the litigants and the community,” Nestor said. “Who you are, what region of Randolph County you are from, who your friends are, how much money you do or don’t have, who your mother, father, or grandparents are, or what your real or perceived political influence might be, are never considerations that should have bearing on a court-rendered decision.
“When cases are decided by a judicial official who just wants to keep their seat, or by a judicial official that feels beholden to a select group of people or supporters, the entire community’s perception of the local judicial system becomes compromised and negatively affected. The result of politically motivated court decisions not only creates a general distrust toward the local judiciary, it also diminishes the community’s trust for all other local elected boards and agencies in the county, trust of which is absolutely essential for positive growth.
“There can be no question, that when court cases are decided on external factors or political pressure, the hope and outlook that we need to feel secure, trusting, and growth-oriented is damaged,” Nestor said. “This creates a negative perception of local government in general, and prevents those who the judicial system was designed to protect from respecting and honoring the law. If elected, I pledge to make judicial decisions based solely on the facts and the law, and nothing more, with the system being administered in a way that will protect and serve everyone equally.”
Nestor is currently serving as delegate for the 66th District, which is comprised of Randolph and Pocahontas counties. In 2020, Nestor became the first Republican delegate elected to serve the vast majority of Randolph County in what was then the 43rd house district.
Nestor intends to complete his duties to his constituents as delegate. His legislative term will expire in December 2024. He presently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, Law Institute, the Committee on Workforce Development, the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, Vice-Chairman for the Natural Resources Committee, and the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
“I would estimate that 95 percent or more of the cases heard before the Randolph County Circuit Court deal with allegations of criminal conduct and parents who have been accused of engaging in abusive or neglectful conduct of their children. I have dealt with thousands of these types of cases in my career, and I think my past experiences and attitude will provide me with excellent insight to adjudicate these matters in a way that the people electing me expect and deserve,” Nestor said.
“Becoming elected to the position of Circuit Judge is not my ultimate goal. My ultimate goal will be achieved when I am able to make the positive difference that only this opportunity can provide. In the furtherance of this objective, I will not be fearful of the consequences of ensuring that all litigants appear as equals on an even playing field inside of the Courthouse. I am ready to make this commitment and promise to give it my best.”
Nestor is a 1999 graduate of West Virginia University, and a 2002 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law. He is the founder of The Nestor Law Office: William T. Nestor, PLLC, located at 1062 Harrison Avenue in Elkins. He is also a member of the Elkins Wees Masonic Lodge #108, Osiris Shriners, the Izaak Walton League of America, Order of the Elks, # 1135, and Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association.
“Going on 19 years I have invested my heart and soul to building a law practice in Elkins,” Nestor said. “Leaving that part of me behind will be difficult, but my ultimate goal as an attorney has always been to be valuable asset to my community, and to play an important role in something far bigger and more important than just myself.
“My years of law practice, especially the early years, humbled me and provided me with a unique insight that has led to my decision to become a candidate for circuit judge. Having started the practice of law on my own and without ever before having worked for another lawyer or law firm, my clients were all I had at the beginning,” he said. “When the people I represented knew you genuinely cared about them, and were willing to give it your all they were grateful. This attitude and approach caused each client to leave the courtroom with a positive opinion of the judicial system and its officers in general, including law enforcement.
“The judiciary in small community like ours functions as the barometer as to how the community will perceive local government as a whole.”