Spirit of Jefferson Your Voice Your vote by Rachel Fields

2012

Your Voice, Your

n n n n n

Vote

Candidate profiles Where to vote The Nov. 6 ballot Key matchups More

About Delegate Lawrence  Native and lifelong resident of Jefferson County, WV  MBA Graduate of Shenandoah University and BS Graduate of Shepherd University  Business & non-profit management experience  Volunteer and civic leader: Former substitute teacher, 4-H Leader & Camp Counselor, Shepherd University Alumni Board Member, United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, & Jefferson County Fair Association  Youngest woman ever to serve in the West Virginia Legislature  Serves on the state Education, Health & Human Resources, and as Vice Chair of the Committee on Political Subdivisions  Sponsored & co-sponsored 39 pieces of legislation that passed into West Virginia state law Issues of Importance  Education: Fight to prevent the loss of public employees from the Eastern Panhandle due to inadequate salaries; provide more local autonomy  Infrastructure: Address our growing infrastructure challenges and work to improve safety on our crowded roads  Economic Development: Create a more business friendly environment to attract high paying jobs  Healthcare: Provide additional healthcare services & programming for Veterans & citizens Endorsed by: Jefferson County Education Association, West Virginia Education Association, West Virginia AFT, West Virginia Business & Industry Council, West Virginia Bankers Association, West Virginia Farm Bureau, West Virginia AFL-CIO, West Virginia Lawyers (Association for Justice), West Virginia Healthcare, NRA, and Others…

www.lawrence4delegate.com Paid for by Lawrence for Delegate, Cheryl S. Lawrence-Treasurer.

RE-ELECT DELEGATE LAWRENCE; VOTE NOVEMBER 6TH! 2

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

Joe Manchin’s Big 10

In the summer of 2007, Governor Joe Manchin signed a letter to strongly urge senate members to support the Employee Free Choice Act which makes it easier for unions to organize within a shorter time frame.

In January of 2008, Senator Barack Obama said “if somebody wants to build a coal power plant they can, it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.” In May 2008, Governor Joe Manchin voted for Barack Obama in the Democratic primary, despite the fact that West Virginia Democrats overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama by an unheard of 41 points. In August 2008, as a super delegate at the Democratic National Convention, Joe Manchin supported Barack Obama.

In June 2008, anti-coal Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said “coal makes us sick, it’s ruining our country, and it’s ruining our world.” In November 2010, Senator Joe Manchin voted for Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader and has received $20,000 from Harry Reid’s PAC.

In June 2009, Joe Manchin passed cap and trade (HB 103) in WV as Governor, which regulates electric utilities by decreasing coal consumption. The bill mandates that electric utilities obtain 25 percent of their electricity from alternative or renewable energy sources.

In February 2011, Senator Joe Manchin voted against the repeal of Obamacare, which contains 20 separate tax increases totaling over $500 billion and raises taxes on families making less than $120,000 a year. Here is the list of increases: $123 Billion: Surtax on Investment Income, $86 Billion: Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax, $65 Billion: Individual Mandate Excise Tax and Employer Mandate Tax, $60.1 Billion: Tax on Health Insurers, $32 Billion: Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans, $23.6 Billion: “Black liquor” tax hike, $22.2 Billion: Tax on Innovator Drug Companies, $20 Billion: Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers, $15.2 Billion: High Medical Bills Tax, $13.2 Billion: Flexible Spending Account Cap – aka “Special Needs Kids Tax”, $5 Billion: Medicine Cabinet Tax, $4.5 Billion: Elimination of tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage in coordination with

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

Medicare Part D, $4.5 Billion: Codification of the “economic substance doctrine”, $2.7 Billion: Tax on Indoor Tanning Services, $1.4 Billion: HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike, $0.6 Billion: $500,000 Annual Executive Compensation Limit for Health Insurance Executives, $0.4 Billion: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike. $ Negligible: Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals, $ Negligible: Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2.

In April 2011, Senator Manchin voted to continue tax payer funding for Planned Parenthood, the world’s largest birth control enterprise and the most vocal proponent of legal abortion which performs over 330,000 abortions per year. Joe Manchin portrays himself as pro-life, but has only voted pro-life 20% of the time.

Senator Joe Manchin has supported 3 for 3 of Obama failed stimulus proposals. As Governor, Joe Manchin accepted a $126 million stimulus grant to expand high-speed Internet across West Virginia. $24 million of these funds were used to buy overpowered Cisco routers from Verizon at $22,600 each. The handling of these funds is currently under investigation on the national level.

In July 2012, Joe Manchin voted against the extension of the Bush tax cuts which increased taxes on small businesses, S corporations, and families making more than $250,000. Nearly 600,000 West Virginians benefit from the Bush tax cuts. Thanks to Joe Manchin’s vote, West Virginia households stand to lose $1,187 in total disposable personal income. Starting next year, the maximum long-term capital gains rate will increase to 20%. Dividends will now be taxed as ordinary income rates so the maximum rate on dividends will balloon to a whopping 39.6 %. Death taxes will increase to 55% on estates over $1 million.

In August 2012, while speaking at a WV Coal Association meeting, Joe Manchin announced that he supports the Bowles-Simpson Plan, which is over a $3 trillion tax hike over the next decade. Joe also supported the Dodd-Frank Act, which burdened WV small banking institutions and businesses with over 400 new regulations.

As a Senator, Joe Manchin has missed a shocking number of votes (8) in just 2 years, and has voted with President Obama 87% of the time.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Because elections do matter

The Spirit of Jefferson dates back to 1844 – before the state of West Virginia even formed – and throughout that time, the central business of this business has been to inform the citizens who live in and around Jefferson County. Because elections, particularly the years when Americans elect their presidents, are so important, the Spirit always has provided information aimed at helping voters make the best decisions possible. This year, however, we wanted to take our pre-election coverage even farther. By producing “Your voice, your vote,” our first-ever election guide, we sought to put together a handy, comprehensive guide that will help voters as they prepare to make their voices heard in next month’s vote. We’ve included profiles of candidates that include a bit about their background as well as their answers to essential questions of the Established 1844

day. You’ll find news stories that examine some of the key contests on next month’s ballot, including the top-ticket faceoff between Mitt Romney and President Obama; the rematch between Jefferson County Commissioner Frances Morgan and Jane Tabb, the Republican she defeated six years ago; and the race between Sheriff Bobby Shirley – facing a federal trial early next year that could put him behind bars – and his GOP challenger, Earl Ballenger. You’ll also find a bevy of practical information as Election Day approaches, including a list of precincts, the days and times that Early Voting is available and a look at the Nov. 6 ballot itself. It’s our hope that this election guide proves insightful and helpful. As always, we welcome hearing from our readers, and that’s true whether you like what we do or you don’t. Drop me a line at our office at 210 N. George St. in Charles Town (our Zip is 25414) or email me at Editor@spiritofjefferson.com. – Robert Snyder PUBLISHER Craig

See

EDITOR Robert Snyder editor@spiritofjefferson.com REPORTERS

“No government ought to be without censors and where the press is free, no one ever will.” — Thomas Jefferson

www.spiritofjefferson.com

The Jefferson Publishing Co. Inc.

Bryan Clark Christine Miller Ford ADVERTISING

Mary Burns mary@spiritofjefferson.com sales@spiritofjefferson.com GRAPHICS STAFF

Rachel Painter-Fields, Kim Schell and Sharon Snyder

F E AT U R E S County Commission redux Jane Tabb seeks to oust Frances Morgan, who defeated her in ’06 ................

Selecting your lawmakers Candidates field questions on jobs, schools, more ................

8, 12, 13,18

Complications in sheriff’s race Democrat Bobby Shirley is running for re-election – and facing trial ............

President Obama’s W.Va. woes Will Jefferson County offer the Democrat his best showing on Nov. 6? ........

The choices ahead Take a look at all the candidates on the Election Day ballot ..................

10 14

16-17

Picking an assessor, magistrates Each candidate details why he or she is the smarter choice .........................

Early voting underway Thanks to the early option, voters needn’t wait till Nov. 6 to cast a ballot .....

Manchin, Raese facing off again U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican John Raese have tousled before ...

Congressional showdown Howard Swint questions Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito ................

A look at the precincts Not sure where to vote? See our full list of Jefferson polling places .............

Ballenger, Shirley square off Republican Earl Ballenger, Democrat Bobby Shirley tout their experience ...

Changing landscape As recently as 1996, West Virginia was a Democrats’ dream ........................

20 21 22 24 26 28 30

ADVERTISERS Tiffany Lawrence ............................................................................ 2 John Raese ..................................................................................... 3 Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee ....................... 5 John Maxey ..................................................................................... 9 Stephen Skinner .............................................................................11 Eastern Panhandle Builders Association .......................................11 Jane Tabb .......................................................................................13 Elliot Simon ....................................................................................15 Republicans ...................................................................................16 Patrick Morrisey ............................................................................ 17 Jim Ruland .................................................................................... 19 Earl Ballenger ................................................................................ 21 Gail Boober .................................................................................... 23 Frances Morgan ............................................................................ 25 Paul Espinosa ................................................................................ 25 Bill Arnicar .................................................................................... 26 Bobby Shirley ................................................................................ 26 Angie Banks .................................................................................. 27 Mary Paul Rissler .......................................................................... 28 Bill Senseney ................................................................................. 28 Darrell McGraw ............................................................................. 29 Joe Manchin ................................................................................. 31 Herb Snyder ................................................................................... 32 Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

County Commission

ROBERT SNYDER

Jane Tabb (left) is the Republican candidate for the Jefferson County Commission. She aims to retake the seat she lost six years ago to Democrat Frances Morgan (right).

Growth still the backdrop in Tabb re-match against Morgan But Jefferson County’s economic landscape has changed vastly since the two candidates first faced off six years ago

ROBERT SNYDER Spirit staff

CHARLES TOWN — Jefferson County voters will decide a rematch next month when they vote on whether to return Republican Jane Tabb to the County Commission seat she lost six years ago to challenger Frances Morgan, a Democrat. Morgan, who beat Tabb by 256 votes, is running to keep her seat despite a landscape far different than the one that aided her in 2006 when a primary concern among voters was the escalating rate of growth and a tatterdemalion of land use regulations that appeared unable to keep up with it. Morgan, at the time a political neophyte with a background in estate law, was encouraged in 2005 to seek office in the midst of a wave of lawsuits brought by residents upset by the absence of checks on sprawl

that was fast leading to overburdened roads and infrastructure. She said she believed these legal complaints were evidence that the old way of doing things in the county needed changed. “There was an atmosphere, and I think it was old-fashioned people and also generally county government, [with whom] the attitude was, ‘Oh my heavens a lawsuit,’ but I don’t look at it that way,” Morgan said. “If there needs to be a lawsuit if there needs to bring some order to chaos or to establish a rule that citizens deserve to be notified if X, Y and Z is going to happen, then OK, let’s have a lawsuit. It’s not like I enjoy them but it does provide clarity.” Morgan acknowledges the times they have a’changed. Housing construction has come to a screeching halt, and while Jefferson

“The hospitality industry can provide a lot of jobs, but we need more than that to sustain our citizens and our tax base.” Jane Tabb

u See TABB/MORGAN Page 15

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

County Commission Frances Morgan Democrat • Law degree, with honors, 1994 Georgetown. BA in political science, 1983, George Washington University • Farmer, law clerk from 2000 to 2002, associate at two Washington law firms until 1999 • First elected to the County Commission in 2006

On economic development “The County should proceed on two tracks: first, by positioning itself to encourage the development of the alreadyprosperous local heritage tourism industry; and also by working to attract hi-tech, green businesses, such as American Public University, that bring jobs but that do not depend heavily upon road transport, where we are challenged. Existing business-ready lots in Bardane/Burr should be sold to newer business models. To attract such businesses, we need high quality of life, excellent educational opportunity and outcomes, and to protect our scenic vistas, agricultural production, and historic identity. We need to avoid becoming a bedroom community (which only makes infrastructure and service demands skyrocket). We have recently acquired new leadership for the Economic Development Authority and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Maximizing heritage and arts tourism, while making room for cutting-edge low impact businesses drawn from the crowded regions to the east are my vision for a prosperous future for our county. With our diverse population, proximity to the D.C. metro area, environmental and agricultural assets and historic treasures, we are poised to usher in a period of economic opportunity for all our citizens.”

On planning and zoning “During my time as Commissioner, many positive changes have been made both to the staffing of the county planning and zoning department and to approval processes that help businesses navigate the rules. Planning, Zoning and Engineering each have accredited, expert staff and has been refocused on customer service to our constituents – the taxpayers of Jefferson County. Consequently, I believe the current system does work well, while it also provides a degree of transparency and regulation that residents require. The LESA development review system is outmoded and should be abolished. The Comprehensive Plan, required by state code to be updated and re-issued by 2014, should be a detailed, citizen-driven guide to Jefferson County’s development over the next decade.”

On emergency services “The County is blessed with a strong tradition of volunteer fire and ambulance service which is of excellent quality today, meeting or surpassing guidelines. As volunteer time becomes scarcer, the County has supplemented ambulance service with career personnel; we need to do the same with fire service for our seven stations. Change is tough, however, and we need to give fire companies time to decide how they will mesh their volunteers with a partly career fire force. When — and if — the fire service is ready to embrace being a fully public county agency, and we have established service and cost parameters that have been vetted by the public and a consensus emerges, then we would be ready, in my view, to move in the direction of a fire fee. This is key to placing emergency services on a sustainable footing for Jefferson County’s future, and to ensuring that our wonderful volunteers enjoy the support that they need, as well.”

Jane Tabb Republican • Farmer, former commercial property manager, owner of Fresh Feast on the Farm, WVU Extension program assistant • Served as County Commissioner from 2001 to 2006

On economic development “I want to attract clean, high-tech businesses to the County. A streamlined permitting process for those businesses locating in the business and industrial parks is critical as well as improving internet infrastructure. Keeping our farmers profitable through the development of new markets and creative enterprises is also vital.”

On planning and zoning “The current land use regulations and approval processes need be updated. The most critical change needed is the length of time it takes for project approval. The standards are good

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

and tough but the approval process is over a year which results in the County losing good projects to the competition. Time is money and financing a project is difficult without a secure and shortened timeline. The land use ordinances should be updated to comply with evolving Chesapeake Bay regulations.”

On emergency services “The county has come to a crossroads concerning emergency services and there are two choices: fund paid staff out of the general revenue fund or impose a fire fee. Berkeley County has a fire fee and experienced difficulty collecting the fee. Additionally, the staff necessary to manage collection and accounting increases the fee. If the County funded emergency services directly from tax revenues, the fire companies would need to provide financial documentation to the County (an increased cost for the fire companies). Obviously, there are no easy answers and I would only support a fire fee if it was the most economical method to provide for paid staff. “

65th Delegate district Tiffany Lawrence Democrat

• MBA, Shenandoah University. BS in business administration and political science, Shepherd University • Director of resource development and marketing at United Way; former marketing and public relations manager at Hollywood Casino; former substitute teacher • First elected delegate in 2008. Served two terms

On education “As a legislator serving on the Education Committee, former substitute teacher, daughter of public educators, and wife of a high school administrator, I am

aware of the challenges that our state and local education systems face daily and am an advocate for more local control/decision making authority at the local level. My top priority for Jefferson County is to retain highly qualified professional educators while providing competitive wages and insurance coverage for their families. Due to the high cost of living many continue to cross state lines to work in neighboring states where wages are $10,000 plus per starting salary. I support offering locality pay and housing allowances to teachers/service personnel in high growth areas which will allow for competitive salaries— granting our educators more buying power. In order to ensure that learning is at the forefront of the educational process, it is essential that students feel safe and protected from harmful distractions and are fully nourished—thus able to think clearly. I support legislation that would increase the number of certified teachers trained to handle students with behavioral problems, support funding for alternative schools that provide alternative teaching methods, and advocate for healthy school meal programs while continuing free/reduced meals programs. With the growth our region faces, schools at all levels are at full capacity and educators are challenged daily with the task of teaching classrooms in excess of 30+ students, therefore granting little personal attention to individuals. With the number of students with special needs growing, this makes daily assessment/testing difficult. Teachers challenged with this issue must be compensated for class sizes that exceed the norm and ultimately funding for additional staffing is crucial to further success.”

On energy

“Like all good public policy, finding a balance is essential, in this case, to both the economy and environment. While many of the state’s revenues and jobs are still generated by coal and the energy sector, environmental clean-up efforts are often costly on the back end and have long lasting health effects. Thus, more clean-coal and green technology initiatives and policies that require implementation of these practices are needed for both the traditional mining of coal and the horizontal drilling of Marcellus Shale. Further discussions on emissions limits, and wind and solar energy solutions need to transpire to add to our state’s portfolio of energy solutions as we discuss our strategic, long term plan.”

On the budget

“Medicaid liabilities certainly present a major issue for the state. However, Medicaid operates as an entitlement program for eligible citizens and takes into account the cost of services and how often they are utilized. Therefore the state has to budget for all incurred client costs. Thus, the costs cannot be controlled through budget caps or restrictions without changes to the eligibility requirements. Reducing eligibility requirements may just shift the burden to other social services programs, hospitals and clinics which could have a negative impact. Hence, our Congressional counterparts must be willing to work with us to find ways of balancing costs at each level.”

Jill Upson Republican • Attended Columbia College • Retail manager • First run for elected office

On education

“With over $11,000 per pupil being spent, West Virginians deserve much better results. If parents had the option of taking a portion of that $11,000, with their child, to the school of their choice, educators would be compelled to raise their standards to be able to compete for that student.”

On energy

“While I recognize that some regulation is necessary, the recent 11 electrical generation plant closures in West Virginia, proves that over -regulation can have devastating effects on workers and their families. While other sources of energy are being researched, developed, and brought to market, the coal industry must be allowed to also find cleaner, more efficient methods of production and not be forced to cease production due to the heavy hand of government over-regulation.”

On the budget

“West Virginia’s Government sponsored/taxpayer funded health plan is creating a $300 million deficit by 2014 and a $600 million deficit by 2016. The $800 million being held in the rainy day fund would therefore be entirely depleted by 2017. Serious efforts should be made toward keeping employer sponsored health plans in place. Not only are Government sponsored health plans leading to huge tax increases on our citizens, they are also rampant with cases of fraud and abuse.” 8

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

Looming trial complicates sheriff’s race CHRISTINE MILLER FORD Spirit staff

CHARLES TOWN – Some voters in Jefferson County may see the Nov. 6 election as a bit of a predicament: Re-elect a sheriff facing a trial in federal court in early 2013 or back his Republican opponent? If Robert E. “Bobby” Shirley wins next month and then is convicted in a trial set to begin in January, it’s likely he would be unable to serve out a second four-year term, according to an official with the Secretary of State’s office. Shirley – a Jefferson County native with more than 30 years’ experience in law enforcement – faces charges of using unreasonable force during the late 2010 arrest of a suspected bank robber and then with allegedly falsifying records about the incident as part of a federal investigation. If the Middleway resident couldn’t serve out his term as sheriff, then the five-member Jefferson County Commission would have the job of determining Shirley’s successor, said Jake Glance, a spokesman for Secretary of State Natalie Tennant. It’s likely that that person appointed by the commission would serve until the next regularly scheduled election in 2014, Glance said. There’s no provision for a special election, he said. There are additional considerations. It’s unclear, Glance said, whether the process for naming a replacement for Shirley would happen immediately upon a conviction or if a lengthy appeals process might be carried out first. If Shirley is convicted but his removal from office would be delayed by appeals until just before the 2014 vote, then the appointee would continue to serve until voters return to the polls in 2016, Glance said. “So much of this falls into the ‘What if?’ category – ‘If this candidate wins …’ ‘If the sheriff is then convicted…’ So much cannot be known at this point,’’ Glance said in a phone interview from Charleston. “It’s speculation and that’s typically not something the Secretary of State’s office engages in.” The charges already have altered Shirley’s life as sheriff. He’s been barred from carrying a firearm, even when on duty, since June 18, when he appeared in federal court in Martinsburg to enter a plea of not guilty to both the charges facing him. On the website for Jefferson County Democrats, jcdems-wv.org, a biography and photo of Shirley is listed alongside other party members running in next month’s general election, but no mention is made of Shirley’s legal woes. Shirley, 60, himself has continued to downplay the accusations. According to The Associated Press, the sheriff said he is eager

ROBERT SNYDER

Sheriff Bobby Shirley (right) heads to federal court in June with lawyer Kevin Mills.

for his day in court. “There’s general election is Earl two sides to the story, and Ballenger, a 1967 Harpers there’s a whole lot more to Ferry High graduate who the story,” Shirley said during served three years in the a sheriff’s department public Army in Vietnam. meeting in June. “I look for The 64-year-old Millward … for the truth to get ville resident – who out instead of everybody’s worked for the CIA and opinion. You can indict a ham later spent 24 years with sandwich. An indictment is the Jefferson County [just] an accusation.” Sheriff’s Department be Shirley first won election in fore retiring as a sergeant 2008. He’d retired two years in 2009 – was unopposed earlier as a lieutenant with the in the Republican primaJefferson County Sheriff’s Ofry. This is Ballenger’s Mark Daniel Haines fice and then worked as lead first try for elected office. security adviser for the feder Bill Ihlenfeld, the U.S. al Customs and Border Protection Advanced Attorney for Northern West Virginia, has Training Center in Harpers Ferry. said that there is both eyewitness testimony The month before Shirley’s indictment, and video to show that Shirley used unreahe prevailed over former two-term sheriff sonable force in the arrest of now-convictEd Boober in the May 8 Democratic prima- ed bank robber Mark Daniel Haines in late ry, taking 65 percent of vote, according to 2010. the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office. Shirley’s trial originally was set for Au The Republican facing Shirley in the gust, but then delayed until Jan. 22.

Officials say Haines, 42, tried to rob a bank in Ranson on Dec. 27, 2010, then led police on a high-speed pursuit before surrendering in a field in Berkeley County. In a civil suit filed earlier this year by Haines, he alleges that Shirley and 14 other, unnamed law enforcement officers violated his civil rights during his arrest by punching him, kicking him in the head and stomping on him once he was safely in custody. Earlier this year, Haines began serving a federal prison term of 19 years in Allegany County Detention Center in Cumberland, Md. He faces another five years for an escape attempt from the Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg in 2011 as he was awaiting trial. He entered a guilty plea to that charge last month. According to the civil lawsuit, which is set to go to trial late next year, Haines’ injuries following his apprehension included scrapes and bruises on his face and back, a hemorrhage in his right eye, plus a broken nose, eye socket and rib.

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

EPBA

Visit us on the Web at www.epbawv.com or on Facebook

Eastern Panhandle Business Association

2012 Candidates endorsed by the EPBA

Note: The Eastern Panhandle Business Association (EPBA) does not endorse in all races. Endorsement requires a two thirds vote of the members.

STEPHEN

Governor - Bill Maloney Secretary of State - Brian Savilla Commissioner of Agriculture - Kent Leonhardt Attorney General - Patrick Morrisey WV State Senate District 15 - Craig Blair State Senate District 16 - Jim Ruland Supreme Court of Appeals - John Yoder

Delegate District 61 - Walter Duke Delegate District 63 - Mike Folk Delegate District 65 - Jill Upson Delegate District 66 - Paul Espinosa Delegate District 67 - Elliot Simon Jefferson County Commission - Jane Tabb

SKINNER

Eastern Panhandle Business Association (EPBA) is a nonpartisan Independent Political Committee founded in 1991 for the purposes of protecting, preserving and advancing the free enterprise system. EPBA supports the election of those candidates to West Virginia state and local elective office which it determines to be in general agreement with the purposes and objectives of EPBA.

wv house of delegates

standing up STEPHEN for Jefferson County.

SKINNER

wv house of delegates

standing up for Jefferson County. Paid for by Skinner for WV

stephenskinner.com October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

Paid for by Skinner for WV

skinnerforwv

@skinnerforwv 11

66th Delegate district John Maxey Democrat

Paul Espinosa Republican

• Owner of Data Direct, former district manager with Subaru • First run for elected office

• Bachelor’s degree, West Virginia Wesleyan • General manager with Frontier Communications • First run for elected office

On education

“This is a critical issue for the state and one of the highest priorities for me personally. We are paying for an education system that we are not getting. Students, teachers, and parents can’t afford to wait another year. Economists with the National Bureau of Economic Research completed a study last December that tracked over a million students from first grade through adulthood. They found that a single good teacher for even one year increases future lifetime earnings of an average class by over $250,000. Every year that we delay is another year of lost opportunity for that kind of influence. I advocate policies in three areas that I believe will help. First, the Governor’s “Education Efficiency Audit” identifies 90 million dollars in savings from very specific changes – mostly in decentralizing decision making. The school system is far too top heavy with unnecessary bureaucracy. The audit recommendations must be implemented immediately and all savings should be directed to the people who are working directly with students. Second, a small portion of an increase in the severance tax on Marcellus gas should be dedicated to funding an expansion of online learning. APUS, located right in Charles Town, is the worldwide leader in online learning techniques. A partnership between the Education Department, APUS, WVU and Shepherd should be pursued to develop first rate online courses for use in West Virginia. And third, restrictions on vocational and technical education must be removed. Students should not have to travel to Rumsey in Berkeley County for vocational training. These classes must be offered on campus at our local high schools and the proper facilities for these and for agricultural education must be provided at both Washington and Jefferson.”

“I believe that a good education is necessary for our children to succeed in life because with good education comes better opportunities, higher salaries and a better future. I believe we must make the proper investments in education including investments in classrooms, teachers and resources our students need to learn. Jefferson County schools are among the best schools in the State and I will make it a priority to keep it that way by providing our schools the tools they need to ensure classroom accountability. I’m a firm believer that the closer decisions are made to the people, the more effective and responsive government will be. A January 2012 education efficiency audit concluded that our State education system is one of the most regulated systems in the country with most regulations codified in State law, making it very difficult for our educators to adjust to student needs. I believe it’s critical that we empower our local school boards, our principals, and our teachers to make decisions that will ensure that our citizens and our students are receiving the return on investment that they expect and deserve.”

On energy “Fifty years ago there were 120,000 coal miners working in West Virginia. Today there are fewer than 20,000. The easy seams were mined out decades ago. What’s left is more difficult and expensive to get to, dirtier to burn, and is not competitive in price with cheap natural gas. Blaming the coal industries problems on environmental regulations prevents us from dealing with these realities. Development of the Marcellus gas field provides a short reprieve and buys time to diversify our economy as we should have decades ago. West Virginia should never have relied as heavily as we did on coal nor heavily as we do now on gambling. And we should not stake our entire future on gas. Increasing the severance tax on gas can temporarily ease the competitive pressure on coal while providing funds to help diversify our economy.”

On the budget

On energy “I support a comprehensive energy plan that includes West Virginia energy sources in order to achieve energy independence while balancing our economy and the environment. Our State is blessed with abundant energy sources including coal, natural gas, wind and solar, all of which I believe should be utilized in a responsible approach to cleaner energy that doesn’t cost us good paying jobs in West Virginia or lead to higher energy prices.”

On the budget “I’m a strong supporter of health care reform in our country, but I believe we need to be honest with our citizens about how reform is structured and how it is financed. We can’t continue to live beyond our means and can’t allow government to grow faster than the taxpayers’ ability to pay for it. Unfortunately, the Affordable Healthcare Act mandates would further threaten our state’s finances by shifting massive new financial burdens to West Virginia. I believe it’s imperative that the legislature clearly understand the financial impact of this federal mandate and work to ensure that our state’s interests are protected. I also oppose the individual mandate that would apply a civil penalty on citizens if they don’t purchase health insurance in accordance with the act.”

“With federal funding, West Virginia will gain more than most states in an expansion of Medicaid. But health care economics are complex, so we need to be careful. Continued cuts in corporate taxes and business tax incentives should be frozen until we can be certain that our state remains on sound financial ground.”

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

67th Delegate district Elliot Simon Republican

Stephen Skinner Democrat

• Bachelor’s degree, University of Chicago • Semi-retired business executive and consultant in the travel industry • Previously ran for delegate in 2010

• Law degree, WVU. BA, West Virginia Wesleyan • Civil trial attorney since 1994 • First run for elected office

On education

On education “According to the recent audit of the West Virginia school system by Pennsylvania consulting firm Public Works we spend $90 Million more annually on our school system than we need to. It also said that our school system is highly centralized and inefficient. It recommends reducing the number of administrators significantly. In other words, our system is top heavy and resources are wasted and therefore never make it to the classroom. I believe that we need to do both reduce the size of the bureaucracy in Charleston and allow for more local control. Nearly every state administers their school system on the county or municipal level. If we allow for greater local control, this will create opportunities for greater participation on the part of stakeholders, particularly parents, in decision making at the local level. Decentralization could also pave the way for a solution to one of our greatest problems here in Jefferson County: locality pay for teachers.”

“We must prioritize reform within the education system. First, teaching must treated by all as an honored and respected profession. Consequently, our teachers’ salaries must be competitive with other professionals. We can do this through efficiency savings within the current state education budget. Second, we must increase local control and teacher freedom. One-size-fits-all policies will not work in West Virginia. The issues that face McDowell County—with a median home price of $20,000 are not the same as the issues that face Jefferson County with a median home price of $230,000. Teachers must have the flexibility to adapt without the burden of a Charleston-based bureaucracy dictating their every move. Finally, we must also resist the temptation to over-test our children. We spend too much time teaching for tests.”

On energy

On energy “The short and direct answer to the question is that the states have little to say in the matter at this point. The National Resources Defense Council or NRDC is a New York u See SIMON Page 26

“One of the incidental benefits of the boom in shale gas in West Virginia is that, because of market forces, natural gas has become the better economic choice for electricity generation. Electricity generated from natural gas significantly reduces air pollution. As Ohio and West u See SKINNER Page 26

COMMON SENSE REPUBLICAN

JANE TABB COUNTY COMMISSION

• Control government spending of your tax dollars • Promote small businesses • Eliminate the need for tax increases

VOTE NO

V 6!

• Support our agricultural heritage Endorsed by We The People, Jefferson County and the Eastern Panhandle Business Association October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

www.JaneTabb.com PAID FOR BY CANDIDATE

Will Jefferson go for Obama?

ROBERT SNYDER

If so, county could be the president’s lone bright spot in W.Va.

Bryan Clark Spirit Staff

There is no question that West Virginia’s five electoral votes will go to Republican contender Mitt Romney in the November general election. It is safe to say that 41 percent of statewide Democratic primary voters did not actually want Keith Russell Judd – a man serving a federal prison term for extortion, a man who fellow inmates allegedly refer to as “The Dark Priest,” a man who lists himself as a former member of the “Federation of Superheroes” – to be in charge of a considerable number of thermonuclear-tipped ICBMs. Nonetheless, more than 70,000 West Virginians opted for Judd rather than Obama during the May primary election in what was perhaps the most 14

striking protest vote in U.S. history. The logical place to turn for projections on the race would be state polling data, but there is a problem. Major polling organizations like Gallup and Rasmussen don’t bother to poll the Mountain State, likely both because Romney is considered such a shoo-in and because the state has so few electoral votes that it will not figure prominently in the outcome. The few polls that are available, conducted by state daily newspapers, show Romney with nearly a 20-point lead. This in a state where Democrats have a nearly 5-to-1 advantage in the state Senate and a nearly 2-to-1 advantage in the House of Delegates, and where Republicans have not held a majority in either house since 1933. If Obama has a chance in anywhere in the state,

however, it may be in Jefferson County. During the 2008 presidential election, in which McCain carried the state by double-digits, Obama boasted only seven of West Virginia’s 55 counties – including Jefferson, where Obama won by 4.9 percent. Of these, only three counties favored Obama more heavily: Boone by 10.7 points, McDowell by 8.8 points and Webster by 5.5 points. Obama is not likely to carry those counties this year, however. Both Boone and Webster preferred the Dark Priest in the primaries, and Obama eked out only a 5-point win in McDowell. All three counties, moreover, were trending “redder” in the 2008 presidential elections versus the 2004 elections. Boone went from a 17 to an 11 point Democratic margin and McDowell from 24 to 9. Democrats also u See OBAMA Page 21 Your Voice, Your Vote

Keith Russell Judd

October 24, 2012

Tabb/Morgan FROM PAGE 6

County enjoys the lowest rate of unemployment in the state, jobs are not plentiful. “What the citizens on the street are concerned about has changed; other things have entered the picture,” she said. It’s this slowdown in the economy that Morgan argues has offered the county the breathing room it needs to hammer out better rules so that when the economy improves and residential and commercial construction begin to pick back up, the county’s rules will be able to keep pace. Morgan said one of her goals for a second term is jettisoning the county’s existing zoning law and adopting a more Euclidean set of rules based on density. Tabb, who held a seat on the commission during the boom years, said she doesn’t believe the county is ready to wage another battle over zoning. Voters rejected a proposed ordinance in 2009, after petitioners succeeded in overturning its approval by the County Commission a year earlier. “I don’t think in these economic times it’s realistic,” Tabb said. “I don’t think there’s been any major subdivisions approved since 2009.” Instead, Tabb says, the county should focus its efforts on streamlining the approval process for those who submit applications to the planning commission. “I’m not for loosening our regulations,” Tabb

said. “I think we have good standards and you can certainly see that as you drive from Berkeley County to Jefferson County, but I want to see people be able to get through the process faster. That’s the complaint I hear: ‘It took me a year.’ I know it’s not always easy stuff to review and go through hearings but I think we can do better. We need to do better if we’re going to get any kinds of investments here. We just have to make it more userfriendly.” Morgan said a peril for the county is in relying too much on residential development. “We clearly need economic development in this county,” she said. “How much residential development is utilized by a community in a democracy for economic development purposes is a very troublesome irksome question. “Jefferson County thought it had found the nirvana of growth when we got all this housing, and construction people were busy and people were moving here and the retail stories were getting foot traffic and all the sudden we’re not this sleepy little place where nothings going on any more. I don’t believe that residential development is acceptable over the long term form of economic development for a community. Houses cost money, businesses create tax revenue and generate money.” Morgan said one of the ways the county can grow is to take advantage of its history. “The state measures over $750 million impact in Jefferson County, but I think we’re just at the cusp of it,” she said. Tabb called heritage tourism just one industry the county could promote, but one that was only

“I don’t believe that residential development is acceptable over the long term as a form of economic develpment for a community.” Frances Morgan going to take the county so far. “We can’t exist just on that,” Tabb said. “The hospitality industry can provide a lot of jobs, but we need more than that to sustain our citizens and our tax base.” Tabb, who said she is not opposed to historical preservation despite the fallout from her vote not to spend money as part of the $2.3 million restoration of the Old Jail in downtown Charles Town for county offices, said heritage tourism jobs were not going to bring high-paying jobs to the county. “We need to explore every opportunity for finding more jobs here and growth,” Tabb said. “Our unemployment figures look pretty good compared to the rest of West Virginia but the lines are out at the Community Ministries and the shelves are bare. We have people who are underemployed and have given up looking for a job. We need to find jobs for local folks.”

Let’s turn our state around! The politicians that have controlled the West Virginia legislature for more than 80 years have created a legacy of...

Elliot Simon West Virginia House of Delegates 67th District I’m asking for your vote on November 6th!

Out of Control Spending Higher Taxes Bigger Government Schools that Underperform

My principles are: 4 4 4 4

Limited Government Fiscal Responsibility Transparency in Government Family Values

Early voting at the Court House:

October 24 – November 3 Paid for by the Committee to Elect Simon for Delegate, R. Davis, Treasurer.

Common Sense for West Virginia

www.simonfordelegate.com

Common Sense for West Virginia PO Box 1320, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 n P: 304-591-8610 n simon@simonfordelegate.com October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

Facebook: Simon For Delegate 15

B A L L O T Jill Upson WV House of Delegates 65th District upson4wv.com

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Get to Work on Building

A Better Future Jim Ruland

Paul Espinosa WV House of Delegates 66th District espinosafor delegate.com

Elliot Simon

WV State Senate 16th District

WV House of Delegates 67th District

rulandfor senate.com

simonfor delegate.com

Paid for by Ruland for Senate, Robert C. Smith, Treasurer; Upson For WV, Laura Galvin, Treasurer; The Committee to Elect Simon for Delegate, R. Davis, Treasurer; and Espinosa for Delegate, Mary C. Espinosa, Treasurer.

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

B A L L O T

"Elect a statewide official from Jefferson County"

VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRITY Paid for by Morrisey for Attorney General

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

16th Senate district Herb Snyder Democrat

Jim Ruland Republican

• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Business, Shepherd College • Owner, lab director and chemist at Snyder Environmental • County Commissioner from 1991 to 1996. Served in State Senate from 1997 to 2004, 2009 to present

• Bachelor of Arts, Iona College. Master of Arts, Pace University • Managing partner with real estate development company. Founder and President of an information technology services company. Retired U.S. Navy Commander • Served as County Commissioner from 1997 to 2002

On education

“West Virginia is ranked in the top five states for early education programs. Public education in West Virginia starts at age 4. Our students have a great start; however, the student dropout rate is far too high. West Virginia must motivate students to complete high school. I support raising the drop out age which is now 16. The dropout age of 16 may have been practical 50 years ago but in today’s global economy students must at least complete high school. The state Board of Education is entirely too top heavy. More control over the classroom curriculum and teaching methods must be given back to the classroom teacher. Our classroom teachers are among the most highly trained and certified in the nation. The state Board of Education and the Federal Department of Education simply have to allow teachers to teach instead of turning them into paper pushers.”

On energy

“The majority of the coal mined in West Virginia is exported. Only a relatively small portion of the coal mined in W.Va. is used for power generation in our state. Part of the cause of air pollution in the Eastern Panhandle is caused by our proximity to auto pollution from the DC metro area and the northeastern states, in general. The EPA has in very recent years adopted stringent new clean air regulations on emissions from power plants. Power companies have spent billions of dollars installing the latest technology for pollutant removal and carbon sequestration. Power companies nationwide are also converting coal fired power plants to natural gas. Natural gas burns much cleaner than coal but coal fired plants will still be used for many decades in the future. As one of the five Senate members on the Select Marcellus Shale Gas Committee, I learned that finding a balance between extraction and use of natural gas and the threats to the environment can be done. West Virginia was one of the first states to implement a full regulatory structure for Marcellus Shale gas drilling.”

On the budget

“Medicaid operates as an entitlement program for all citizens that meet the eligibility criteria. The cost of the program is determined by the number of eligible individuals, how often they utilize health care services, and the cost of the health care services. Therefore, the state must budget for all program costs incurred by the clients. The program costs cannot be controlled through budget restrictions and appropriations caps without changing the eligibility criteria, the types of services covered, or the rates paid for services. Reducing program eligibility, eliminating covered services, and reducing payments for service may shift the cost to medical providers causing an increase in uncompensated care as clients seek medical services without coverage. Hospitals, physicians and clinics would then have to raise the cost for everyone else to make up for the uncompensated services. West Virginia is now doing an actuarial study for the possible implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act. West Virginia must make fiscally responsible decisions based on actuarial studies to determine how to make changes to our Medicaid program.”

On education

“West Virginia’s public school system has received failing grades from every independent agency that has ever evaluated it. This is upsetting because we are spending more on a per capita basis than most other states (eighth out of 50), but receiving results which rank us 47th (or worse) in the nation. In other words, we are getting a terrible return on the whopping $3.5 billion we invest in education each year. What’s wrong here? An outside audit of the education efficiency of our primary and secondary education system holds some answers. It found that we have the second most highly centralized education systems in the country, top heavy with too much administrative overhead. The audit recommended a series of educational and legislative changes that could save $90 million a year while getting more money to the classroom. The problem is that the report was issued last January, but the Legislature failed to act. It’s high-time for the Legislature to get to work on implementing these much needed reforms. Two other changes that need to be made, that I wholeheartedly support, are more local (county) control and locality pay for teachers.”

On energy

“The discovery of the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation deep under W. Va. holds truly great economic promise for our state and our nation. And the legislation passed earlier this year is a good first step in reconciling the environmental issues with the economic opportunities that this discovery presents. Coal, primarily used for the generation of electricity, is the second largest domestic contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and other chemical byproducts in the USA. But according to Environmental Protection Agency EPA figures, emissions of traditional pollutants have dropped significantly – even as the use of coal to generate electricity has nearly tripled to meet growing energy demand. This suggests that the ‘clean coal’ technologies being deployed to remove or reduce pollutant emissions are having some success. Regrettably, EPA regulators have ignored individual states’ rights prerogatives and imposed requirements on West Virginia that make adoption of these technologies unaffordable, and a timetable that is directly responsible for the loss of jobs in these troubling economic times.”

On the budget

“West Virginia has addressed the massive OPEB debt, but many are skeptical that payment of these unfunded liabilities has been truly resolved because of overly optimistic assumptions. For example, the legislation assumes a rate of return on investments of 7.5 percent, while the most recent actual return was only 1 percent. One of the problems with the new health care law is that it dramatically expanded Medicaid without fully paying for it and shifted new financial responsibilities to the states. My opponent supports the new health care law and Medicaid expansion, which will wreck West Virginia’s fiscal health. I believe West Virginia needs more flexibility to manage costs. As a State Senator, I would work with the Department of Health and Human Services on waivers to help eliminate our annual structural deficit and to ensure that we protect and maintain Medicaid for those who need it most.”

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

Leadership

Passion

Integrity

(R) Jim Ruland for

West Virginia Senate – 16th District

“More Jobs, Better Schools and Leadership You Can Trust” Hello Neighbor, Are you concerned about the direction the country and our state are headed? Do the growing debt, expanding government, and disregard for constitutional principles bother you? Do you wonder why West Virginia seems always 1st in things that are bad (poverty, obesity) and last in things that are good (education, income)? One political party has controlled the WV legislature since 1932, and it’s now abundantly clear that 80 years of one party rule hasn’t worked to the benefit of West Virginia’s citizens. It’s time for new leadership. We need to be voting for the future of our children and grandchildren, not a political party or a career politician. Please be sure to vote, Jim

Improve the business climate to create more jobs

4Lower taxes to help local businesses compete 4Cut bureaucratic and regulatory red tape 4Reform civil justice system & end lawsuit abuse

Fix our underperforming education system

4Cut admin overhead and put the money

in the classrooms 4Greater local control of resources and decision-making 4Locality pay for teachers to reflect the higher cost of living here

Cut waste, fight corruption, & bring ethics reform to Charleston

4Control spending & reduce the size of

bloated government 4Expose corruption and cronyism 4Strengthen ethics rules and increase penalties for violations

About Jim:

Memberships & Affiliations:

Endorsements:

• • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

• • • •

40 years of leadership & management experience Proven job creator: (300+ jobs) Combat veteran (Vietnam) & retired U.S. Navy (Cdr) Former Jefferson County Commission President BA (Political Science); MBA (Finance) Married, 5 children and 5 grandchildren Core Beliefs: Personal Freedom, Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government, Family Values

American Legion Post 71 Berkeley & Jefferson Chambers of Commerce Jefferson County Farm Bureau Knights of Columbus (Life Member) Military Officers Association National Rifle Association St. James Parish Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3522 (Life Member) WV Association of County Officials Hospice of the Panhandle Capital Campaign Committee

Eastern Panhandle Business Association National Federation of Independent Business West Virginia Family Foundation West Virginians for Life

Paid for by Ruland for Senate Committee, Robert C. Smith, Treasurer

Email: campaign@rulandforsenate.com • Website: www.rulandforsenate.com Facebook: Ruland for Senate • Twitter: @rulandforsenate • 304.268.8620 October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

What makes you more qualified than your opponent?

Assessor

Magistrate (Voters will select three) Bill Senseney Democrat

Angela Banks

• Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University • Previously sheriff, business manager • Served as magistrate from 2000 to the present

Democrat • High school graduate. Certificates in mass appraisal, real property and geographic information systems for assessors • Worked 15 years as a deputy assessor • Served as assessor from 2008 to the present

“I was elected in 2008 under my platform “Experience Matters” promising to make changes in the Assessor’s Office. I have fulfilled that promise by launching a User friendly website that includes general information about the Assessor’s Office, GIS mapping and Online Personal Property filing. Most importantly, I provide quality service to the Taxpayers. Training and classes in property tax and 19 years of experience qualify me to serve the Taxpayers of Jefferson County as their Assessor. I serve as the Treasurer of the WV Association of Assessors and am also a member of the WVACO and the IAAO.”

Gary Dungan

“Knowledge and experience is worth keeping! I bring a common sense approach to the Magistrate’s Office forged by managing all aspects of a business. Since all arrests begin or end with a criminal complaint, I understand a policeman’s point of view having been the Sheriff of Jeffer-

Mary Paul Rissler Democrat • Graduated from National Institute of Paralegal Studies • Worked 10 years as a legal secretary or paralegal • Served as magistrate from 1994 to the present

“I am a woman of high moral and personal standards. I appreciate, and respect the legal system in which I serve. Therefore, I am committed to conducting myself in a manner which reflects integrity, respect, independence, and fairness to any

“See my qualifications above, which reveal a highly successful career working in, and managing, very challenging and complex situations. No matter what the individual qualifications are, the point of political races is to offer the voters a choice. In this case, the choice is between a candidate who believes in smaller government, more individual liberty, and lower burdens of regulation and taxation (me) and the candidate of the Party whose platform has stood opposed to those principles for over half a century (my opponent).”

and all people who appear before me. I will continue to use my education and experience to perform the duties of Magistrate effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct.”

Gail Boober Democrat • Attended Shepherd University, the University of Memphis, the National Judicial College and Coastal Caroline University • Served as magistrate from 1985 to the present

“During my 28 years, I have presided over thousands of cases in my career. My years of public service have gained me the trust of my community. I keep an open mind to the facts and evidence before the court and reach an educated decision, based on the law.

Republican • Bachelor of Science in commerce with specialty in accounting, University of Virginia • Formerly senior vice president with two bank holding firms, head of investigations for Resolution Trust Corporation, certified public accountant • Previously ran for assessor in 2008

son County. Working as a Magistrate builds a body of knowledge needed for the job. If someone isn’t familier with the WV State Code and its Statutes and Rules, and if they aren’t familiar with court room procedure then they are going to be lost on the Bench.”

The question is: Do you want the Court to continue hearing cases in a timely and meaningful manner, or do you want someone who is inexperienced and must learn the role and duties of a Magistrate. Stay with an experienced Magistrate Boober.”

Bill Arnicar Republican

• Certified nursing assistant, information technology certifications • Worked for Pfizer, Meta-Solutions, UUNet and MCI WorldCom • Former Navy submariner • First run for elected office

“One way I differ from the incumbent candidates is that I have never run for or held public office; I am not a professional politician. They have held county offices for quite a while, approaching 30 years in the same position in one case. During the last two election cycle’s they were unchallenged. I feel that the

constitutional principles of self-governance and representative democracy are best served when the people can choose more than one set of candidates. If elected I will perform faithful the duties of the office entrusted to me by the voters.”

Peter Onoszko Republican

• Master of Arts, American University. Bachelor of Arts, Citadel • Former fellow at Tuft’s University • Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel • First run for elected office

“As an officer commanding our country’s fighting men and women, I exercised non-judicial punishment authority. This means that I presided as judge over my troops in cases not considered serious enough for a formal court martial or trial. During the last four years of my military career, I was

an Inspector General in The Pentagon where I supervised the conduct of over a hundred formally directed investigations. I bring a breath of fresh air to the office of Magistrate. I know the Rules of Evidence and look forward to serving you fairly and impartially.”

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

10-day early voting period has begun From staff reports

CHARLES TOWN – Can’t wait to do your civic duty and take part in this year’s election? Election Day is Nov. 6, but West Virginia voters needn’t wait till then. Across the state, the 10-day period of no-excuses early voting is underway. Starting this morning, any Jefferson County resident who is registered to vote can cast a ballot at the Jefferson County Courthouse at 100 E. Washington St. in Charles Town between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Other days to early vote: Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week and then next week, Monday through Nov. 3. The election happens the following Tuesday. In Berkeley County, residents interested in early voting may cast their ballots at the Berkeley County Voter Registration office at 110 W. King St. in Martinsburg. Early voting has become increasingly popular in West Virginia, according to Natalie E. Tennant, Secretary of State.

Obama

FROM PAGE 14

lost a little ground in Webster, though the shift was less than one percent. In Jefferson, on the other hand, Obama was able to beat Judd by a 55-point margin in the May primary. That’s not great for an

The option has been offered in the Mountain State since the primary election in 2002. On Election Day, ballots cast early are counted along with ballots cast on Election Day as well as those made by absentee ballot. Some voters say they welcome the convenience of voting anytime during a 10-day window. Others say they prefer the traditional approach of heading out to their neighborhood precinct on Election Day. Absentee ballots continue to be an option for those unable to vote in person on Nov. 6. The application to apply for an absentee ballot is Oct. 31. Each election season, Tennant’s office posts a daily update of the number of early votes cast as well as how many absentee ballots have been returned to county clerks’ office statewide. The updated numbers will be available on the Secretary of State’s website, wvsos.com. The site also has information on voting on Election Day and the number to call to report any problems.

incumbent president in a blue county, but it is significantly better than Obama’s 18point margin he held statewide. Further, Jefferson – along with the rest of the Eastern Panhandle – moved slightly “bluer” between the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections. Jefferson went from a 6 point Republican margin in 2004 to a 5 point Democratic margin in 2008. Berkeley

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

went from a 27 point Republican margin to a 13 point margin, Morgan from a 33 to 24, Hampshire from 38 to 27, Mineral from 38 to 33, Hardy from 38 to 28, Grant from 61 to 52 and Pendleton from 22 to 21. This leaves open the possibility, however slim, that Obama could carry Jefferson, though the rest of West Virginia is very likely to back Romney.

Barack Obama

Mitt Romney

U.S. SENATE

CHRISTOPHER JACKSON

Republican John Raese (left) debated the issues earlier this month in Shepherdstown in a forum with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, (center) and Mountain Party candidate Bob Henry Baber.

Shepherdstown debate highlights Manchin, Raese differences Manchin (D)

Raese (R)

CHRISTINE MILLER FORD Spirit Staff

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Earlier this month when U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, met here to debate challengers Republican John Raese and Green Party candidate Bob Henry Baber, the differences couldn’t have been more stark. But it’s an unusual race. At one point during the 75-minute debate at Shepherd University, the proudly left-wing Baber – who favors an expansion of national health care, an end to mountaintop removal mining and more incentives for green energy – joked that he is the only Democrat in the race, a nod to how often Manchin has parted ways with President Obama. Manchin, 65, is pro-coal and pro-business (in his first term as governor, he added the slogan, “Open for Business,” to highway welcome signs) as well as anti-abortion rights, anti-gay marriage and anti-gun-control. Meanwhile, Raese – a Morgantown native

whose business holdings include mining company Greer Industries, the Dominion Post daily newspaper based in Morgantown and more than a dozen West Virginia radio stations – often seems trapped in the glories and villains of yesteryear. During the Oct. 2 debate in Shepherdstown, Raese, 62, repeatedly described himself as a Reagan Republican. More than once, Raese borrowed Reagan’s debate line to needle Manchin, beginning his response by shaking his head and saying, “There he goes again” as the late president famously did in debating President Carter 32 years ago. Raese also likened one of Manchin’s answers to Carter’s Malaise Speech from 1979. And in fielding a question about how more physicians could be enticed to practice in rural parts of the state, Raese began his answer by saying he’d abolish Obama’s signature health care reform. He then brought up the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, the perennial bogeyman of

the left. Rease left some audience members gasping in surprise and confusion as he spoke of Kennedy in the present tense. “We have the greatest health care system in the world – No. 1,” he said. “When Ted Kennedy gets sick, he doesn’t go to Europe, does he? He doesn’t go to France and he doesn’t go to Nova Scotia. He goes to this country.” Kennedy, the long-serving Massachusetts senator who spent decades advocating for comprehensive health care, died of cancer in 2009, just months before federal lawmakers OK’d the federal Affordable Care Act, now better known as Obamacare. Though Raese has mounted multiple runs for the U.S. Senate, his greatest showing as a candidate came in his first try back in 1984. As Reagan won a second term in a landslide over Walter Mondale, Rease garnered 48 peru See DEBATE Page 23

Baber (M) 22

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (right) makes a point during this month’s debate with his Republican challenger, Morgantown businessman John Raese.

Debate

FROM PAGE 22

cent of the vote to 52 percent for then-Gov. Jay Rockefeller in the race for an open U.S. Senate seat. Jennings Randolph, the liberal Democrat who’d come to Washington with the 1932 election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was retiring. Raese – who earlier this year publically referred to FDR as “Fidel Roosevelt” – backs abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy and the elimination of the federal minimum wage. During the Shepherdstown debate, Raese repeatedly said government regulations are “absolutely strangling” job growth. He called Obama “anti-coal, anti-West Virginia” and said that “the trouble with Joe Manchin is that he’s playing on the wrong team – Barack Obama is his quarterback.” If elected to the Senate, Raese vowed to be Obama’s “worst nightmare. Every day, I’d be his worst enemy.” “Joe Manchin endorsed Barack Obama’s candidacy after Obama said he would bankrupt coal,” Raese has said. “Manchin voted against repealing Obamacare. He took thousands in campaign contributions from [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid who thinks coal is making us all sick.” In 2006, Raese finished with just 36 per-

cent of the vote in his effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd in what would be Byrd’s final campaign. Following Byrd’s death in mid-2010, Raese finished 10 percentage points behind Manchin in a special election to fill the Democrat’s unexpired term. Raese also ran for the Republican nomination for governor in 1988, winning 47 percent of the vote to scandal-plagued incumbent Arch Moore’s 53 percent. Now Manchin, Raese and Baber – a poet, Glenville State College administrator and former mayor of Richwood – are competing for a full, six-year term in the Senate. A crowd of 200 students, citizens and journalists attended the debate in Reynolds Hall as the trio fielded questions on healthcare, the economy, education, the environment and foreign affairs. During the debate, Baber repeatedly chided the Republican candidate, at one point saying mockingly: “It’s amazing to me … if we just unfetter these ‘Titans of Industry’ and allow them to do whatever they wish, and we just get rid of Obamacare, then everything will be just perfect with the United States and we can all go home.” He also defended Manchin, pointing out that while Raese described Manchin as an Obama supporter, Manchin hadn’t yet joined the Senate when the Affordable Health Care Act passed. Baber asked: “Will you stop at nothing,

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

Mr. Raese, to try and tie Joe Manchin [to Obama]? He’s shown again and again that he’s an independent person.” For his part, Manchin described himself as “the most centrist member of the U.S. Senate” and outlined the bipartisan approach he’s taking to make changes to aspects of the healthcare reform law. “To the people that say ‘Repeal,’ I say, ‘What are you going to replace it with?’ The easiest vote I can make in the Senate is ‘No.’ It’s easy. I don’t have to explain it. I can be against everything, but that’s not fixing America.” The nation’s healthcare system does well

CHRISTOPHER JACKSON

at helping many sick people get well, Manchin said, but rising costs and a lack of access to care and incentives to live healthier lifestyles means “we’re not doing a great job keeping people from getting sick in the first place.” By making preventive care available to more Americans, the cost of health care will be driven lower, Manchin said. Raese said that while he believes Manchin “has his heart in the right place, the problem is when he’s in Washington, he’ll do whatever Barack Obama and Harry Reid tell him to do.”

Fact check

Swint says Congresswoman used inside info on trades; Capito spokesman calls allegations ‘absolutely false’ Shelley Moore Capito (near right) has served as the Eastern Panhandle’s representative in Congress since 2001. Her challenger Nov. 6 is Democrat Howard Swint (right). BRYAN CLARK Spirit Staff

CHARLES TOWN – In the race for West Virginia’s Second Congressional District, Democratic challenger Howard Swint has built his campaign around allegations that six-term incumbent Shelley Moore Capito and her husband Charles profited from stock trades using non-pubic information – commonly called “insider trading.” National fury over insider trading by U.S. legislators erupted following the November 2011 publication of Throw Them All Out: How Politicians and Their Friends Get Rich off Insider Stock Tips, Land Deals, and Cronyism That Would Send the Rest of Us to Prison. The book, together with a highly-viewed episode of CBS’s 60 Minutes reviewing its claims, led to widespread public outcry and passage of the STOCK Act, which made insider trading by legislators illegal. Insider trading by legislators was legal prior to passage of the act. Written by Peter Schweizer, a conservative author and researcher at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, the book exposed questionable stock trades made by a number of Senators and Representatives on both sides of the aisle, including House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), former Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and House Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) Capito, who serves on the Financial Services Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, is briefly mentioned in the book as well: “Capito and her husband dumped between $100,000 and $250,000 in Citigroup stock the day after the briefing.” The briefing referred to was a private meeting between congressional leaders and bank regulators. Capito’s husband was also a Citigroup employee at the time of the alleged stock dump. In a number of opinion pieces Swint wrote for The Charleston Gazette he made a number of other charges regarding insider trading by the Capitos, specifically that a second 24

Howard Swint says it is unethical for the Congresswoman to serve on committees charged with financial institutions’ oversight when her husband’s work is banking. “Swint’s entire campaign has been waged on personal, false attacks and now intentional lies like this.” Kent Gates

Capito spokesman stock dump took place one day before Citigroup shares plunged 23 percent in a single day. At the same time, he alleges, they made a bet that the stock would increase in the future, which it did five days later when Citigroup’s second bailout was announced. Swint further argues that it is unethical for Capito to serve on committees charged with oversight of financial institutions while her husband worked for banks they were charged with regulating and given that they both own considerable amounts of stock in some of these banks. Capito’s team has fired back. Kent Gates, her campaign manager, in an interview with the Gazette, called the allegations “absolutely false and without evidence,” adding that “Swint’s entire campaign has been waged on personal, false attacks and now intentional lies like this.” Capito’s campaign accused Schwiezer of making “seriously misleading statements,” and Gates recently said that he had backed off of the statements about Capito in subsequent

interviews. Capito spokesperson Jaime Corley points out that Capito voted against the bank bailouts and dismisses Swint’s allegations as spurious. “Members of Congress are not exempt from insider trading laws—it’s unethical and illegal no matter who you are. Congresswoman Capito voted against the bank bailouts and is a strong supporter of the STOCK Act. The public has a right to expect complete transparency and full disclosure of financial interests and transactions made by Members of Congress, and that’s why the Congresswoman has always filed appropriate documents infull and on-time. “This is nothing more than political posturing by Howard Swint to shield the fact that he supports job-killing policies, a harsher EPA, a government-takeover of healthcare and higher taxes on job creators and families,” she wrote in an email. The facts The Spirit has investigated the most important claims of this debate, and evaluated their

truthfulness. n Swint: “Clearly (the Capitos) have nonpublic information that comes from oversight of the banks.” This claim is true. The House Financial Services Committee, on which Capito serves, and the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, which she chairs, are charged broadly with oversight of financial institutions and financial regulators including the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission. These positions grant her access to information discussed in closed-door hearings that is not available to the general public. n Swint: The Capitos “dumped up to $250,000 of Citigroup stock” one day before it plunged 23 percent, avoiding a massive loss. This claim is true, but the situation is more complicated. Capito’s financial disclosure statement shows a sale of between $100,001 and $250,000 of Citigroup stock over three days in 2008, including on Nov. 18. It closed at $83.60 a share on that day and fell to $64 by close on Nov. 19, a one-day 23 percent loss that the Capitos avoided by selling the stock. However, while Nov. 19 was an especially bad day for Citigroup, the stock price had been declining rapidly for a considerable period, having lost 45 percent of its value in the prior month and 75 percent of its value in the prior year. If the Capitos had held the stock for a long time prior to the sale, they would have already taken a very large loss. n Gates: Schweizer has backed off his statements about Capito. This claim is mostly false. Schweizer has repeatedly, and to multiple media outlets, indicated that he stands behind all the factual claims in his book and that he is not backtracking. However, Schweizer’s original statement about Capito’s trades would lead most readers to believe that she was present at the closeddoor meeting between congressional leaders and financial regulators. She says she was

Your Voice, Your Vote

u See CAPITO Page 27

October 24, 2012

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

Simon

Skinner

FROM PAGE 13

Virginia switch from coal, the level of air pollution will improve. We must diversify our energy generation portfolio in West Virginia. The ever-increasing use of solar energy for consumer and commercial use must be fostered. This is critical in Jefferson County where we do not have natural gas available by pipeline and much of our home heating is by oil. The use of commercial and consumer solar in Jefferson County is a model for the rest of the state. Too many people see the tradeoff between resource extraction jobs and protecting the environment as an either-or proposition. As we look at the next 20 years and the consequences of short-sighted energy policies, we must bring everyone to the table to make a thoughtful plan for coal, oil, gas and alternative energy in West Virginia that both acknowledges the need to protect the environment and the consequences of failing to plan.”

On the budget

“We are fortunate to to deal with Medicaid expansion issues while the state has a budget surplus. However, we must be vigilant to adjust the

“Too many people see the tradeoff between resource extraction jobs and protecting the environment as an either-or proposition.”

Stephen Skinner

budget to fully fund Medicaid. We must look to an austere budget, if necessary, to pay for the expansion. The implications of failing to adequately fund Medicaid are almost unthinkable. Nearly one-third of Medicaid dollars go to nursing home care for senior citizens, and we must remember that an expanded Medicaid will help protect seniors who face having to spend down to virtually nothing to afford nursing home care. We must stay on a path of fiscal responsibility while being mindful of our responsibilities to those who have the least.”

FROM PAGE 13

City based organization that was founded by a group of attorneys in 1970. A primary focus with regard to its policy agenda involves global warming and carbon dioxide. The NRDC has initiated several legal actions regarding the interpretation of federal legislation. The effect of the decisions in these cases has been the transfer of the power to balance economic and environmental concerns from the individual state governments to federal regulatory agencies. Several of their cases have been brought before the Supreme Court. It is up to Congress to clarify the legislation on which these cases and the resultant decisions are based, or for there to be further clarifying legal actions. There needs to be a balance between economic concerns and the need to protect the environment. That power should not rest solely with any one entity. There needs to be a balance between the states, the federal government and its regulators. While it is the role of the federal government to regulate commerce between the states, the rights of states should not be ignored.”

On the budget

“I am not so sure that the PEIA and OPEB unfunded liabilities are completely solved. The ability to meet the obligations of these

“There needs to be a balance between economic concerns and the need to protect the environment. That power should not rest solely with any one entity. There needs to be a balance between the states, the federal government and its regulators.” Elliot Simon

pension and benefits funds is based on certain assumptions. The funds in these entities are invested and the assumption is that the return on these investments will be 7.5 percent annually. The most recent annual return was only 1 percent. This has the potential to create a significant shortfall with regard to meeting obligations down the road. With regard to Medicaid – this program is an unfunded mandate from the federal government. As with question No. 2, the state government has little to say about it. The best way to deal with this issue is for the West Virginia economy to grow. Job creation will reduce the Medicaid rolls and its liabilities.”

Re-elect

Bobby Shirley Sheriff of Jefferson County

Proudly serving Jefferson County law enforcement for more than 30 years.

ELECT BILL ARNICAR MAGISTRATE Were they right? “The problem is not individual incumbents, but rather chronic incumbency.” Professor Mark Petracca, University of California

“When executive and judicial powers are united in the same person or body, there can be no liberty.” James Madison

“To be truly great, one has to stand with the people, not above them.”

It is an honor to be your Sheriff. I ask for your vote November 6 so that I can continue to serve your family and mine.

Charles Montesquieu

“Selfless Service”

VOTE4BILL.NET Paid for by The Committee to Elect Bill Arnicar

— Sheriff Bobby Shirley

PAID FOR BY THE CANDIDATE

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

Jefferson County’s voting precincts Charles Town area 65th Delegate district

2 Wright Denny Elementary School, 209 W. Congress St., Charles Town 3 Charles Town Baptist Church, 203 E. Congress St., Charles Town 4A Fellowship Bible Church, 160 Daniel Road, Shenandoah Junction 4B Fellowship Bible Church, 160 Daniel Road, Shenandoah Junction 6 Senior Center, 103 W. Fifth Ave., Ranson 7 Ranson Elementary School, 600 N. Preston St., Ranson

Charles Town 67th Delegate district

12 Jefferson High School, 4141 Flowing Springs Road, Shenandoah Junction

Harpers Ferry 67th Delegate district

13 C.W. Shipley Elementary School, 652 Shipley School Road, Harpers Ferry 14 Camp Hill Wesley Methodist Church, 601 Washington St., Harpers Ferry 15 Harpers Ferry Middle School, 1710 W. Washington St., Harpers Ferry 17 Blue Ridge Mountain Fire Hall, 181 Keyes Gap Road, Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry 66th Delegate district

16 Oakland Methodist Church, 70 Oakland Terrace, Charles Town 21A Blue Ridge Elementary School, 18866 Charles Town Road, Harpers Ferry 21B Blue Ridge Elementary School, 18866 Charles Town Road, Harpers Ferry

Kabletown 65th Delegate district

19 Charles Town Middle School, 193 High St., Charles Town 23A Country Day School, 449 Rose Hill Drive, Kearneysville

c e l e Re

Angela L.

Banks Jefferson County

Assessor

“Experience Matters” Paid for by Committee to Elect Banks Assessor

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

23B Country Day School, 449 Rose Hill Drive, Kearneysville 24 Washington High School, 300 Washington Patriots Drive, Charles Town

Kabletown 66th Delegate district

20 Kabletown Methodist Church, 3481 Kabletown Road, Charles Town 22 Summit Point Baptist Church, 96 Hawthorne Ave., Summit Point

Middleway 66th Delegate district

25A South Jefferson Elementary School, 4599 Summit Point Road, Summit Point 25B South Jefferson Elementary School, 4599 Summit Point Road, Summit Point 26 Leetown Methodist Church, 11133 Leetown Road, Kearneysville 27 North Jefferson Elementary School, 6996 Charles Town Road, Kearneysville 29 T.A. Lowery Elementary, 103 Shenandoah Junction Road, Shenandoah Junction

Middleway 65th Delegate district 28 First Baptist Church, 614 Lone Oak Road, Ranson

Shepherdstown area 67th Delegate district

31 Covenant Baptist Church, 7485 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown 32 Bethel United Methodist Church, 855 Carter Ave., Bakerton 33 Trinity Episcopal Church, 208 W. German St., Shepherdstown 34 Shepherdstown Elementary School, 662 S. Church St, Shepherdstown 35A Shepherdstown Fire Hall, 8052 Martinsburg Pike, Shepherdstown 35B Shepherdstown Fire Hall, 8052 Martinsburg Pike, Shepherdstown

Capito

FROM PAGE 24

not, which he does not dispute. But in September he told MorganCountyUSA that he still finds the timing of the trades “very disconcerting and very troubling.” n Swint: The Capitos made bets that Citigroup’s stock would rise in the future based on inside knowledge of an impending bailout. This claim is partly true and partly unverifiable. Capito’s financial disclosure statement shows that on Nov. 18 and 19, 2008, the same time he sold a large quantity of Citigroup stock, Capito’s husband bought “call options” – effectively, bets that the stock price will rise in the near future – on Citigroup. On Nov. 23, five days later, a second bailout package was publicly announced, which caused the stock to rebound 58 percent over its previous closing price. The disclosure forms do not make clear, however, whether the call options were ever exercised. The size of the call options was also considerably smaller than the amount of stock that had been sold, between $1,001 and $15,000. It is impossible to tell whether this trade was made on the basis of nonpublic information, but the transaction did take place

only a few days before the announcement of the bailout. n Swint: The Capitos were able to realize an up-to $50,000 capital gain on Citigroup stocks that had lost 76 percent of their value over the year. This claim is partly true but misleading. It is true that Capito’s husband reported between $15,001 and $50,000 in capital gains and dividends from Citigroup stock in 2008, but this does not mean his stock gained that much during that time. Capital gains are reported as the price difference between when a stock was purchased and when it was sold. If the Capitos were selling stock they had held since the early 1990s it would be at a capital gain even though the stock would have been worth much less than it was a year earlier. n Swint: Capito’s trades were made with nonpublic information Swint’s overall claim is plausible but not verifiable. Capito certainly had access to nonpublic information, but there is no way to know for sure whether her husband’s trades in Citigroup stock were motivated by any nonpublic information she possessed or whether she possessed any nonpublic information on Citigroup’s position in particular. Some of the trades seem to have been extremely well-timed, but this is not conclusive evidence that they were made with nonpublic information. There is no information that conclusively refutes this claim either, however. 27

What makes you more qualified than your opponent?

Sheriff Robert ‘Bobby’ Shirley Democrat • High school graduate. Completed State Police basic training and basic operation and physical security training • Retired Lieutenant with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Lead Security Supervisor at Customs and Border Patrol Advanced Training Center • Served as Sheriff from 2008 to present

“I bring 30 years of experience and knowledge to the job of Sheriff. I have an excellent rapport with the County Commission, other elected officials and surrounding law enforcement agencies. I understand the budget, know how to cut waste and obtain additional funding through state and federal grants. I have received approxi-

mately $100,000 in forfeitures and seizures from drug related investigations. I have an open door policy and hold monthly public meetings allowing citizens the chance to have a voice. I restructured the department to better utilize its resources and provide maximum county coverage. I thank you for your continued support.”

Earl Ballenger Republican • High school graduate. Completed training at the State Police Academy • Retired Seargent with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; 15 years service in Central Intelligence Agency. Honorably discharged from U.S. Army • First run for elected office

“I am seeking to represent the citizens of Jefferson County as a Sheriff with integrity and real world experiences. As a deputy, a veteran and [former] CIA employee, I have dedicated my life to being a public servant towards the betterment of society. I feel my experiences in working in a variety of high-stakes situa-

Re -elect

tions while always maintaining a professional demeanor speaks to my common sense and conscientious manner. Becoming Sheriff is an extremely huge responsibility. If elected, I welcome all the challenges associated with the successful operation of such a vital entity of society. Honored to protect and serve.”

MARy PAul

RISSlER MAGISTRATE Experience:

17 years service as Magistrate plus 10 years in private law firm

Education:

Graduate, National Institute of Paralegal Studies “Using the foundation of education and experience, I promise to serve Jefferson County with integrity, competence and common sense.” Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect M.P. Rissler Magistrate, Rebecca Jones, Treasurer.

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

Please remember to exercise your right to VOTE! October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote

CHRISTINE MILLER FORD

Split personality West Virginia: True Blue no more?

hen it comes to West Virginia politics, the state seems to have developed something of a split personality.

Democrats retain most elected positions in county government and at the Statehouse, but in presidential races and in the leaders picked for Congress, West Virginia increasingly is in the Red. Time was – and for quite a long time, too – Mountain State voters were as true Blue as could be. In the 1980s, the state’s entire GOP Senate delegation amounted to a lone lawmaker: Donna Boley. West Virginia even went for Democrat Mike Dukakis in the presidential election of 1988, a stance taken by just nine states and D.C. But since the turn of this century, it’s been the Republican presidential candidate that has garnered the most votes in West Virginia – and most predict West Virginia will go for Republican Mitt Romney in a big way come November. Everyone wonders how this expected pro-Republican tilt will affect turnout and the outcome of all the other races on the Nov. 6 ballot. In much of the state, registered Democrats still outnumber their GOP brethren 2-to-1, but Republicans continue to narrow the gap. The Red trend particularly has taken hold in the Eastern Panhandle, which always has been friendlier to Republicans compared to the rest of West Virginia. Across the state, many voters registered as Democrats lean decidedly to the right. West Virginia Democrats tend to be more conservative – on both social and fiscal issues – than do Democrats across the nation. They also back gun rights and tax cuts. Coal is another prime concern. During the first presidential debate Romney used the term “war” to highlight how many voters, particularly in southern West Virginia, regard President Barack Obama as an enemy. “People in the coal industry feel like it’s getting crushed by your policies,” he said. “Stop the War on Coal.” There’s no question that Obama continues to be wildly unpopularity in West Virginia. In the May primary, a political newcomer and relative unknown from Texarkana, Texas, managed to siphon 41 percent of the Democrats’ support. (Keith Judd may be better known as Federal Correctional Institution Inmate No. 11593-051, or Anybody But Obama.) Given that display, how badly might an anti-Obama vibe hurt Democrats running for statewide and countylevel offices? In the Eastern Panhandle, nearly every lo-

cal race and legislative contest has a strong candidate on each side – and the same is true for statewide offices, including for the top job in the Department of Agriculture, for Attorney General, for Treasurer, Auditor and other positions. The party does seem to still have a tight hold on the governor’s office. It’s been that way since 1932 when Depression-weary voters rejected President Herbert Hoover’s bid for a second term in the White House and in West Virginia elected Herman G. Kump as governor. In all the decades since, only Arch A. Moore Jr. and the late Cecil Underwood have been the Republicans elected governor. Voters backed Moore, in 1968, 1972 and then again in 1984. Underwood won a single term in 1956 and another in 1996. Bill Maloney would very much like to join the MooreUnderwood club. A millionaire business owner and drilling consultant based in Morgantown, Maloney finished with 47 percent last year to 50 percent for then acting-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of Logan County in a special election to fill the remaining year of Democrat Joe Manchin’s term. Next month’s vote offers a rematch between Tomblin and Maloney, with the winner getting a full, four-year term of his own. Manchin, re-elected governor four years ago with 70 percent of the vote, was sent to D.C. after a special election to fill the unexpired term of Robert C. Byrd, who died in mid-2010. At the federal level, West Virginia now is nearly as Red as Blue. In Congress, the longest-serving of the state’s House members is a Democrat – Nick Joe Rahall, who has been elected from Southern West Virginia since 1977 – but the two other seats belong to Republicans, Shelley Moore Capito (Moore’s daughter, the 58year-old Glen Daniel native has served since 2001; she faces Howard Swint in her re-election bid next month)

and David McKinley, the former chairman of the state’s Republican party, who took office last year. Over in the Senate, conservative Republican businessman John Raese this fall is aiming to unseat Manchin and snag a full, sixyear Senate term in the seat that once belonged to Byrd. (West Virginia’s senior Senator is Jay Rockefeller, first elected in 1984 amid Ronald Reagan’s landslide when he narrowly defeated Raese.) Do think about this: Whether you lean Red, Blue or another hue, please take time to make your voice heard on Nov. 6 – or head to the courthouse to fill out a ballot during the early voting period, which begins today. No one knows when the vote you cast here in West Virginia could alter the course of history. Back in 2000, contested votes in Florida famously led to a Supreme Court edict that sent George W. Bush to the White House, despite the fact that he’d lost the popular vote nationwide. That year, as Bush became the first Republican to carry West Virginia in 16 years, only four states – Nevada, Georgia, Arkansas and Hawaii – had lower turnouts among eligible voters than our state. Had more West Virginians voted, the race here might have swung to Democrat Al Gore – and then he would have had the required 270 Electoral College votes to become president, whatever the outcome in Florida. “Too busy” was the most commonly cited reason for not voting in 2000, according to a study by the U.S. Census. This election matters. No matter how busy you are, get out and vote, and encourage others you know to take time to get to their precinct, too. In the words of Lotte E. Scharman, who fled Hitler’s Germany and worked in the United States on government access issues until her death in 1970: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”

Your Voice, Your Vote

October 24, 2012

Joe Manchin

has been endorsed by:

e to serv r o n o h een my b m s a h t “I nate. I’ e S . S . the U ing you in y to br a d y r e s g ev ublican p workin e R d se rats an cal hou s fi Democ r u to n’s er to ge h t e r natio g u o o t e v l o ing r and s in putt in orde e v e i l e ms. I b of our proble d a e h a r your untry o f o c g r n i u k o as nd I’m a , s c i t i pol rt.” in suppo Manch e o J r nato U.S. Se

www.JoeManchinwv.coM Facebook: Joe Manchin iii TwiTTer: JoeManchinwv

STANDING UP FOR WEST VIRGINIA

Vote November 6

Paid for by Manchin for West Virginia

October 24, 2012 Your Voice, Your Vote