The Roanoke Chapter of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association has weighed in on the Roanoke-area judgeship that will open when Roanoke County General District Judge Julian Raney retires next year.

A screening committee interviewed all nine candidates for the position Nov. 9. Thursday, the chapter notified state legislators in the Roanoke Valley that the committee rated two of the candidates as highly recommended: Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell and Salem Councilman Chris Clemens.

The group gave a recommended ranking to Roanoke Public Defender John Varney, and judged the other six candidates as qualified for the position, but Caldwell and Clemens received the highest marks.

The General Assembly will ultimately choose Raney's replacement in the 23rd Judicial District during its next legislative session.

Clemens, a Salem lawyer, has received the endorsements of the Roanoke Bar Association and the Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association.

House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith has said Clemens is a front-runner because of the endorsements, but that Caldwell should not be counted out as a contender.

-- Mike Allen