By RACHEL C. DOVE

Staff Writer

CHARLESTON - “I’m truly blessed and honored to have the trust put in me by Gov. Tomblin to fill the shoes of Steve Kominar,” said Justin Marcum, assistant Mingo County Prosecutor, who was sworn into office as a 20th District House of Delegate representative Monday afternoon.

In front of his legislative peers, family and friends who gathered inside the house chamber, Marcum became the newest member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. He accomplished this feat at the age of 27, only a few short months after graduating from Marshall University and the Appalachian School of Law.

The new delegate is the son of Jerome Marcum of Williamson and Deena Marcum of Sidney, Ky., and is married to the former Latisha Thompson. The couple makes their home at Chattaroy.

Marcum is the former President of the Mingo County Young Democrats. He also wrote the “Coal Miner Appreciation Day” resolution which was passed in the house and senate, as well as the U.S. Congress.

Tuesday was Marcum’s first full day as a delegate, and he said he has hit the ground running.

“It’s been an extremely busy couple of days but I’m happy to be here,“ said Marcum, during a phone interview with the Daily News from his office at the capitol. “I’m very excited and blessed to be a voice for Mingo County.

“I was appointed to the Education committee and the Political Subdivision sub-committee by House Speaker Rick Thompson,” Marcum said.

“My goal for this session, in a nutshell, is to make the residents of Mingo County proud. I’ll always fight for coal miners and teachers, and that’s a promise.”

Marcum said that he wanted to personally thank former Delegate Steve Kominar for his guidance and direction during this transitional process.

“Steve has always been a friend of mine, and is a true friend to all of Mingo County,” said Marcum. “I am humbled to follow in the example he has set before me.”

He also said that he had received tremendous assistance in adjusting to his new position from House Chairman Harry Keith White (D-Mingo), along with house members Josh Stowers (D-Lincoln) and Daniel Hall (D-Wyoming).

“They’ve taken me under their wing, and the knowledge and experience they share is greatly appreciated,” said the delegate.

Marcum will be on leave of absence from the prosecutor’s office during the 2012 legislative session, but will return to those duties once it is completed. He is currently working out of Room 229 in the East Wing of the capitol and invites all Mingo County residents to visit him there.

“My door is always open,” Marcum said in a closing statement. “I’m here to serve you, and I want your input and ideas.”