Former State Senator and longtime Summersville City Attorney Greg Tucker sworn in as Circuit Court Judge

By Matthew Young, RealWV

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. – “Greg is one of the most compassionate, empathetic, honest people that this county could have.” 

That’s what former judge – and current Mayor of the City of Richwood – Gary Johnson said last week, during the swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected 16th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Gregory Tucker. The sixteenth judicial circuit encompasses Richwood, as well as the rest of Nicholas County. 

“I’m so happy that he (Tucker) got this position, and I’d be happy if I could be the first one to call you Judge Tucker,” Johnson added.

Joining Johnson in congratulating Tucker was Mayor Robert Shafer, of the City of Summersville.

“Greg has been a studious, great man for the City of Summersville as our city attorney for decades that go even beyond the couple of decades that I’ve been in office,” Shafer noted. “I believe today is a big win – our county wins, our state wins, and our nation wins by bringing a guy like Greg Tucker to the bench.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree from WVU in 1981, Tucker pursued his graduate degree from Capital University Law School, in Columbus, Ohio, before establishing his own law firm in Summersville. Soon after, Tucker was elected to serve as Nicholas County’s prosecuting attorney, a position he held from 1989 until 1992. 

Tucker continuously served his county and his state over the course of his near-four-decades-long career, including 30-year stints as both an administrative law judge for Workforce West Virginia, and attorney for the City of Summersville. Tucker has also worked as city attorney for Richwood for the past four years, and counsel to the Nicholas County Commission for the past two. 

Although Nicholas County Commission President Garrett Cole, while speaking about Tucker, echoed the sentiments of Johnson and Shafer, his words carried with them some light-hearted jabbing.

“Greg (Tucker) was really hard up for speakers,” Cole began with a laugh. “I’m just kidding. […] I appreciate the opportunity to be here just to say a few words – Greg has been an example, a mentor, and a leader to many including me.”

“When Greg asked me to speak briefly, I was honored to be a small part of this day,” Cole continued. “Greg is so deserving of this position. Greg is so deserving of this position. Let me say it one more time – Greg is so deserving of this position. I know of no better man to have this position.”

In addition to his lengthy law career in both the public and private sectors, Tucker represented the 11th Senatorial District in the West Virginia State Legislature from 2010 until 2014. In last year’s non-partisan campaign for the 16th Judicial Circuit, Tucker carried nearly 60% of voters in the three-person race, and more than doubled the vote count of his closest challenger. 

The oath of office was administered by longtime friend of the Tucker family, the Honorable Jack Alsop, of the Webster County Circuit Court. Tucker’s swearing-in represented Alsop’s last official act as circuit judge before beginning his retirement.

“My dad is here with us, trust me,” Tucker said of his late father, West Virginia State Senator Larry Tucker. “It’s been quite a year for the Tucker family.” 

Tucker’s granddaughter, Emily, he explained, was awarded her white coat as a Doctor of Audiology earlier in the year. Shortly after, his grandson, Ryan, became engaged to be married. And just two weeks ago, Ryan also became a law school graduate.

“And I’m forgetting something,” Tucker said jokingly. “Oh, we won an election – I forgot about that! That was quite a feat.”

“I thank everybody in this room for the support,” Tucker added. “It was a fair fight. Everybody was above board, and it was just one of those elections where we had three good choices. Fortunately I came out on top.”

Before concluding his remarks, Tucker read aloud from a note he was given by a friend after his election to the bench. 

“It says, ‘Greg, you are the last man standing from your dad’s old group,’” Tucker read. “‘Larry would be proud. You’ve got the votes now – take care of the job.’”

“I can’t say it any better,” Tucker added.