Charleston, WV - Chief Circuit Judge Michael Lorenson, 23rd Circuit in Berkeley County, has appointed Senator John Unger II (D-Berkeley) to serve as Magistrate. Senate Democratic leadership applauds this selection.
“It has been a true honor to learn from and serve with John,” said Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin (D-Greenbrier). “I consider him not only a friend and colleague, but a mentor. This next chapter in his life makes good sense. John always says he will spend his time where he can do the most good. As magistrate, John can continue his work on substance abuse recovery in a county that has been ravaged by overdoses. He is uniquely qualified due to his familiarity with the law and substance abuse crisis in West Virginia. He will be sorely missed in the Senate due to his knowledge of parliamentary procedure, advocacy for public education, his deep intellect, and his pastoral heart. Our loss is the gain of Berkeley County residents.”
Unger was first elected to the Senate 1998. He has served in numerous roles during his tenure: Majority Leader, Chairman of several committees, including the Select Committee on Children and Poverty, Children and Families, and the 2011 Select Committee on Redistricting. He has a long list of public service accolades, having worked abroad and domestically with Save the Children, disaster response programs, and community and economic development initiatives.
Unger is an accomplished Parliamentarian, Rhodes Scholar, and pastor. He serves three churches in two denominations and is the President and CEO of GRaCE (Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment), which works to provide a pathway of hope for those affected by the opioid epidemic in the Eastern Panhandle.
“John Unger is one of a kind, and he will be missed dearly,” said Baldwin.
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