Circuit Judge Michael McHaney of Salem is now an Appellate Court Justice.
McHaney was sworn in during ceremonies at the Clay County Courthouse at Louisville on Thursday.
“I’m incredibly humbled with overwhelming gratitude for all the people who supported me. Two years of campaigning we’ve finally arrived at the day we have all been working so hard for and I’m just very thankful and blessed and looking forward to the next chapter of my legal career.”
McHaney started his career in his hometown of Mt. Vernon and moved to Salem in 1998 after beginning his eight years as Marion County Public Defender. McHaney was then appointed an associate judge and was elected circuit judge in 2010 a position he continued to hold until Thursday.
McHaney gained statewide notoriety when ruling against the Governor several times as the Governor tried to uphold masking requirements during the early days of COVID-19.
“I still stand by my ruling. I will go to my grave believing I absolutely did the right thing. I upheld the Constitution and our citizens civil liberties and I’ll fight to the death, to my last breathe, to keep doing so.”
McHaney says the state court services is currently in the process of trying to complete a lease for his chambers in Salem at Becky Carpenter-Timmerman building in the former post office and library on West Main Street. He’ll do most of his work there with a monthly trip to the Appellate Courthouse in Mt. Vernon to hear oral arguments.
