I am currently serving as one of your Putnam County Magistrates. I was first elected to this position in 2002 to complete the term of Magistrate June Sovine who passed away the previous year. I was then elected to my first full term in 2004, re-elected in 2008 and have been serving as a Magistrate ever since. I am seeking re-election this year and am asking for your vote.

I hold a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice form the University of Houston which I graduated cum laude. While living in Texas, I worked as a Correctional Counselor at a maximum security prison. Upon returning to West Virginia, I was employed at a federal half-way house, as well as a Social Worker in the Truancy Program for the Putnam County Schools.

As you can see, I have a very thorough knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.

Some people have referred to me as being a "tough" Magistrate. While I may not always agree with the term, I try to be fair and firm with each case that comes before me. Every set of circumstances is different, and each case must be judged on its merits.

Keeping that in mind, there are some tools that every individual needs to possess in order to be successful in life. One of these is a solid education. When considering on how to sentence a Defendant, I use Probation a good deal. In my Probation Orders, if a Defendant does not already possess a High School Diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma, then one of my requirements in my Order, is that the Defendant be required to obtain their G.E.D. through the Putnam County Day Report Center. If as a society, we can help educate these individuals who lack a basic education, then hopefully those people can and will make different choices in life.

I would like to invite you to visit Magistrate Court and sit in on some of my hearings. This is probably one of the best ways for you to see how dedicated I am to serving the citizens of Putnam County.

I would also like to encourage you to scroll though the website. Hopefully you will like what you read, and will re-elect me to continue serving as one of your Magistrates.

Thank you for your support!

Kim M. Blair