Judge Tera L. Salango was elected in 2018 to the circuit court bench in Kanawha County. She was re-elected in 2024.

Judge Salango is a native of Nitro, West Virginia, and has a 1999 bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Virginia State University, where she graduated magna cum laude. In 2003, Judge Salango graduated in the top 20 percent of her class from West Virginia University College of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Barristers.

Upon graduation, Judge Salango worked for the law firm of Spilman, Thomas & Battle and focused primarily on civil defense litigation. In 2005, she joined the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and spent more than a decade handling violent felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile matters.

In late 2016, Judge Salango joined her husband's law firm where she focused on civil litigation until being elected circuit court judge in November 2018.

Judge Salango has received the Lawyers and Leaders Award from West Virginia University College of Law and West Virginia Executive Magazine recognized her distinguished legal career. She was previously recognized as a Generation Next: 40 Under 40 professional by The State Journal. In 2022, Judge Salango received the West Virginia Wonder Woman award presented by WV Living magazine, which honors and recognizes women who have represented change in their communities. In September 2022, Judge Salango was inducted into the Nitro High School Hall of Achievement, which recognizes graduates who have reflected honor on the school and community.

In 2024, a scholarship was established in her honor at West Virginia State University, which aims at instilling a passion for social justice in students studying criminal justice, social work, or political science.

Judge Salango lives in Charleston with her husband, Ben, and two sons. She is active in the Charleston community, having served on numerous boards that focus on helping children.