Judge Tera L. Salango was elected on November 6, 2018, to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to fill the unexpired term of Judge James C. Stucky, who retired. She took office on November 16, 2018

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 and was recognized for earning the highest grade-point average in her major. 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 and a finalist in the WVU Mock Trial Competition. She also received the Best Brief Award in the Baker Cup appellate advocacy competition.

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

In late 2016, Judge Salango joined her husband's civil litigation law firm, Preston and Salango, where she handled a wide range of civil cases.

In August 2018, Judge Salango received the Lawyers and Leaders Award from West Virginia University College of Law and West Virginia Executive Magazine recognizing her distinguished legal career. She was previously recognized as a Generation Next: 40 Under 40 professional by The State Journal.

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.