For Release: June 10, 2011
Contact: Rick Snuffer 304.923.5160
REDISTRICTING...
One Question
Beckley, WV - 27th Delegate District Freshman Rick Snuffer says he will accept the House of
Delegate Leadership's assertion that there is no 'incumbency protection plan' if they will answer
one very simple question;
Why are Single Delegate Districts good for 36 of West Virginia's 58 House of Delegate Districts,
but not the other 22?
Snuffer offers, "From the Speaker, to the Majority Leader, to the Majority Whip; these are good
guys who I like and get along with. If they say there is no 'incumbency protection plan' being
considered, I accept that. What many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are asking is
why are SDDs okay for 36 of our Delegate Districts, but not the other 22?"
Snuffer, a Raleigh/Summers County Delegate, has stated the redistricting process will be a major
factor in whether or not he attempts to remain in the West Virginia House of Delegates or mount
another attempt to unseat 35 year Congressional incumbent, Nick Joe Rahall, in the next election
cycle.
"The Leadership has promised an honest and open House redistricting process. There is one
simple question which needs to be answered to ensure this process follows their declared
intentions; if 36, why not 22 more," the legislative newcomer asks?
"If a Single Delegate District is good for the people of the 34th District which Majority Leader
Boggs represents, why not for the people of the 32nd District which Minority Leader Armstead
represents? If SDDs are appropriate for the citizens of the Eastern Panhandle, why not for the
good folks in the Northern Panhandle? In Mercer County, the people who live in the 24th
District have a single delegate representing them; but the Mercer County residents of the 25th
Delegate District have two delegates representing them."
Snuffer states there appears to be no geographic, political, or historical reason for the
discrepancy of the various sizes of WV House Districts and says the motives could easily be
put to rest if someone will just answer the question… 'If for some, why not for everyone?'
"Rick, Brent, and Mike are all on public record commending the benefits of Single Member/
Delegate Districts, yet each have said 'there won't be 100 Single House Districts," Snuffer
concludes. "Why? That's all we want to hear from them in this honest, open process which has
been promised. If it's alright in the instances where they exist, why not in the others? Please just
answer the question, WHY??"
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