CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Gov. Joe Manchin says he wants to take the politics out of Supreme Court elections.

In his State of the State address tonight, Manchin said he's proposing a bill that will allow for public financing in the two Supreme Court elections scheduled for 2012.

Manchin says public financing will relieve candidates of the burden of political fund-raising and eliminate the appearance of impropriety in judicial elections.

The money would be available in both primary and general elections.

The change was recommended by a judicial reform committee whose honorary chairwoman was former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Manchin also wants to establish a judicial advisory committee to aid the governor in selecting judges to fill circuit court vacancies.

The governor says about half the current circuit judges are appointed prior to being elected. He says an advisory committee will help ensure that only the best qualified people are appointed.

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