Braxton County Magistrate Carolyn Cruikshanks was found guilty of attempting to retaliate against a state witness last week by a jury of her peers. Tuesday night, an electorate chose not to return Cruikshanks to her position as magistrate. She finished in 4th place out of four candidates in her bid for re-election.

She's not alone. A WSAZ analysis of Decision 2008 shows five candidates whose names appeared in the news recently for troublesome issues had trouble at the ballot box as well.

In Cabell County, Magistrate Alvie Qualls finished in 16th place in a race where the top 7 advanced. Qualls is currently under suspension by the WV Supreme Court of Appeals, after the high court ruled him incompetent to hold office.

In Nicholas County, Prosecuting Attorney Mark Hudnall was charged with DUI in April after a car wreck in Webster County. Hudnall finished in 3rd place in his bid for re-election Tuesday. He secured only 19% of the vote.

Also in Nicholas County, former WV Senate President Larry Tucker was attempting a political comeback in a run for commission. Tucker was convicted of corruption and tax charges in the late 1980s when he was in the state senate. Tucker lost by 66 votes Tuesday night for a seat on the commission.

James Ramey III finished with 18% of the vote and a 2nd place finish in his bid for sheriff of Wayne County Tuesday night. Ramey was convicted 21 years ago of the felony of tax evasion.

In a story on WSAZ last week, Ramey told WSAZ's Dave Benton, "I cheated on my taxes for $3,500. I'm sure I'm not the only one in West Virginia who cheated on their taxes."

Had he been elected, Ramey would not have been allowed to carry a gun as sheriff.