WINFIELD, W.Va. -- The Democratic candidate for circuit judge in Putnam County will be sworn into office at 2:30 p.m. on June 12 until the November election.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appointed Hurricane attorney, J. Robert Leslie, 46, earlier this month. He will serve until he faces Republican Joseph "Joe" Reeder in the general election to fill the remainder of retired Putnam Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding's term.

Putnam Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers, the county's other circuit judge, will conduct the oath of office, according to a news release from the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.