MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monongalia County commissioners are accepting resumes for the county’s next prosecuting attorney.
Commissioner Jeff Arnett said any Democrat in Monongalia County who is a licensed attorney can apply.
Two-term elected prosecutor Perri Jo DeChristopher will become a circuit judge in Monongalia County following a recent appointment made by Gov. Jim Justice.
“We’re essentially accepting open resumes,” Arnett said Thursday on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town.” “So a letter of intent to seek the position and a resume can be dropped off at the commission office up until January 11, 2023, at 5 p.m.”
DeChristopher came to the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office in 1998 as an assistant to former prosecutor Marcia Ashdown. Ashdown, who was in the office for 35 years, decided not to run for reelection in 2016.
Arnett said it may be difficult to find that kind of longevity.
“I don’t think we have any illusions that we’re going to select someone who’s going to be here for 20 years,” Arnett said. “That would be great, but I think you find the most qualified person for the job and hope they succeed as their predecessors have.”
Arnett said because Monongalia County is one of the state’s most populous counties, the prosecutor must have personnel and office management skills as well as being an effective litigator.
“Someone who has good organizational and management skills and is a skilled litigator,” Arnett said describing a good candidate. “Having experience as a prosecuting attorney is a plus but it is not a requirement.”
The commission has 30 days to make the appointment.
“January 11, 2023, at 5 p.m. will be the deadline to receive resumes,” Arnett said. “Once we have those we’ll whittle those down.”