judges

A judicial panel has restored public campaign financing to two state Supreme Court candidates. The panel ruled Wednesday that incumbent Justice Brent Benjamin and candidate Bill Wooten could receive $500,000 apiece for the May 10 election. Five acting judges were appointed to hear the appeal of lower court rulings after all Supreme Court justices recused themselves. Benjamin and Wooten had missed a certification filing deadline. The State Elections Commission in February decided the deadlines were arbitrary and unreasonable. A Kanawha County judge overturned the decision earlier this month..