A Couple of House of Delegate Races Worth Noting

Another election year will be upon us in a few weeks, which means that we need to start thinking about ways to start supporting candidates who will return government to the people.

Republicans will concentrate a lot of their donations and time on congressional races this year. We have a shot to get back at least one house of Congress and stop the runaway train that is Pelosi brand socialism. However we also need to think closer to home as well. For approximately eight decades the West Virginia State Legislature has been run by the Democrats. That party sees legislative power in the Mountain State as almost its own by divine right. Let's return West Virginia to two party rule.

I want to mention a couple of races that are important for the state GOP and me personally. I know both these people and believe that they will represent their districts and the state well when elected. I am proud to call them personal friends as well.

In the 41st Delegate district, Tommy Phillips will challenge for the seat currently held by the Democrat Samuel Cann. This district encompasses part of Harrison County. Tommy is a young, energetic, and bright man with youth and talent in his corner. He has served as Harrison County Executive Committee chair and has worked hard for the state party as well. If you are a donor interested in state politics, please consider helping out this candidate. He would make an outstanding delegate.

Of course in our own 49th, Bob Schadler is retiring after many years of faithful and hardworking service. I cannot think of anyone better to hold that seat than Gary Howell. Most of you know already that Gary is an aggressive and hard fighting individual with a talent for learning about the kind of legal and policy details that most folks overlook. A lot of people respect Gary's plain talking and blunt approach to tackling the problems faced by this region. His experience in policy research will prove invaluable to all Republican legislators. They currently have to rely upon a Democratic appointee or their own devices when researching law or policy when crafting their bills. Gary will serve as an important part of a state GOP legislative team that will fight to restrain government size, spending, and taxation in West Virginia. Since announcing his run for the House of Delegates, Gary's fundraising has far exceeded expectations very early in the campaign. This shows how serious Mineral County is about keeping this seat out of Democratic hands.

Of course there are many worthy candidates emerging all over the state. We need to support the viable and strong candidates as much as possible so that we can get the Legislature in the hands of a party that knows what West Virginia needs, more jobs and less government.

The People Behind the Scenes Often Make the Difference

Politics, like almost anything else, usually reveals only a small percentage of its actual workings. Television, print, and electronic media show the candidates as they go from here to there, meeting and greeting. Most people do not understand how it takes a physical and financial toll on most candidates to interact with the people and find out what they want and need from their officials.

No one ever sees the hard working and dedicated souls that work behind the scenes to make all this possible. Few politicians have the time or the skill to organize large scale campaigns. They often have to travel to several events in the same day and remember which people are at what place. If a candidate is lucky, they have someone carefully scanning the media, finding out when events are, and making schedules for them. Also most candidates need money. Most in our state live on the same middle class salaries as many of the rest of us and need help from the people. Many would be amazed at how important each candidate considers every donation even and sometimes especially the $10 and $20 ones. Once, Governor Arch Moore received a small donation from an elderly woman that he knew lived on a low fixed income. He tried to return it to her but was met with refusal. She wanted everyone to know that she supported him. Candidates strongly appreciate every bit of support they get.

If candidates are fortunate, they have dedicated volunteers arranging fundraisers for them. One of the best in our region at mastering the fine art of scheduling and fund raising is Christy Barnett of New Creek. In her third year of political work, she has made a tremendous impact in local and state races and has become indispensable to many Republican office seekers. She is also one of the district delegates to the State Republican Executive Committee.

Another important person worth mentioning is Tommy Phillips, President of the Harrison County Republican Club. He tirelessly labors at making the state GOP website one of the most effective and efficient political site in the country while constantly keeping it up to date. Under his control, it has grown into one of the top sources for news and events in the state party. Phillips also manages events for his club and assists the party directly in a variety of capacities. Phillips is definitely part of the glue that holds the West Virginia GOP organization together.

These behind the scenes warriors get little credit, but deserve many accolades. Thanks to all of them who sacrifice their time and energy to bring the Republican Party success in West Virginia.

************************************************************************

Home sales rose 5.3% nationally in the last report issued. With the nation still in a growth phase, home sales showing signs of life, and gasoline prices starting to drop, it will be interesting to see what the main issues will be in two months should these trends continue.

WV Democrats set up the WV Republican Executive Committee?

One Sunday afternoon I had a long political conversation with Tommy Phillips about the direction of the Republican Party in the state. We were just throwing around ideas about what had worked in the past, and what might work in the future to bring the Republican Party back to power in the state to benefit all West Virginians. During the conversation I asked Tommy, "Do you realize the WV Democratic Party set up the structure of a major part of the WV Republican Executive Committee?" Tommy asked if I was serious. I said yes, and began to explain.

68 members of the Republican Executive Committee are all based on the states senatorial districts. Those 17 districts were drawn by the Democratic controlled legislature. They were gerrymandered to limit Republican power in the state. Think about that for a minute. The WV Republican Party is using districts designed by Democrats to limit the power of Republicans as a basis for a large portion of the Republican Executive Committee. Does that make any sense?

It goes further. Under the Republican party platform; I The Government, O. Providing legislative reapportionment with no gerrymandering by the majority leadership, with 100 single-member House of Delegate districts and 34 separate State Senatorial districts that respect community boundaries for increased accountability. OK that is our position, but because we are using the Senatorial Districts drawn by the Democrats we have the very overlap in the 8th and 17th Senatorial Districts we are taking a position against. Does that make any sense?

The Senatorial Districts drawn by the Democrats do not even represent equal numbers of Republicans. 4 Executive Committee Members in some districts represent a large number of the states Republicans, and in others the 4 only represent a few. Does that make any sense?

Our goal as Republicans is to make the state a better place for all West Virginians. Should we look at implementing our own values and our own ideas in our own executive committee?

• 17 Separate - 4 member executive committee districts
• Equal number of Republicans in each executive committee district
• or County Districts with members allocated by Republican Population
  
• No overlapping executive committee districts
• No use of districts designed by the Democratic Party

People fear change. Some may see the idea as radical, some will only see it as common sense. Some may fear loss of power, while others will see opportunity. I only put the ideas on the table to create discussion, for through discussion we will find solutions to challenges.