A mountain of mud has been slung at state Supreme Court Justice Elliott “Spike” Maynard during his campaign for re-election. His foes claim his integrity is in question because he has been friends for decades with Massey Coal CEO Don Blankenship. Never mind that in cases involving Massey and its affiliates, Maynard has voted against Massey about half the time.

Maynard has that record to vouch for his integrity. He also has 11 years’ service on the Supreme Court, during which time his votes have been fair, intelligent — and based on the law and the West Virginia Constitution.

What of the man many observers view as Maynard’s chief opponent in the Supreme Court race — Huntington lawyer Menis Ketchum? There are points about Ketchum that could, as we say in the hills, set some voters to wonderin’. For example:

In terms of conflicts of interest, people who pay big bucks into a candidate’s campaign coffers are, well, of interest. Trial lawyers, who by the dozens donate to court candidates, are an example. So are other special interests — such as big gambling companies. People linked to Delaware North, Penn National Gambling and Mountaineer Park Inc., all with operations in our state, have contributed a total of $6,000 to Ketchum’s campaign.