May 12, 2008
OPINION: Prelude to Election Day…
The Contestants Have Spoken: Cast Your Votes
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – As Tuesday, May 13 approaches, the national ticket has spurred interest from both candidates. Hillary Clinton has run a bus and satellite truck show through the state’s small, medium and large communities. By way of contrast Barrack Obama, the presumed nominee, has stuck to the Charleston metropolitan area.
Obviously, West Virginia (and for that matter Kentucky) does not have the young, forward thinking, somewhat affluent demographics that tend to support him. To Obama’s credit, he has a big rally slated today at the Charleston Civic Center. On the eve of the vote, one speculates how much charisma the young senator from Illinois can sway?
Whether the national contest has any true import remains to be seen, but locally contests in the primary are buzzing. As usual, the list of magistrate candidates on the democratic ticket runs lengthy. Will Cabell voters forsake the shuddering basement establishment icons who have in one manner or another brought higher scrutiny than previously to their office?
Magistrates have been blamed for low bonds for drug offenders and endless continuances in the sluggish movement of so-called justice. The Herald-Dispatch did a soft shoe dance around the problem by its endorsements. Essentially, they asked voters to vote for a few of the recognizable incumbents and also vote for a few of the newcomers. The paper did not even send a loud message opposing seven time elected Magistrate Alvie Qualls. Of course, the recommendations of the ethics committee has not yet been upheld either.
Qualls has been suspended with pay by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The paper suggested that voters keep this in mind when they cross his well known name.
All of the Republicans will be nominated for the November general election, but, instead of a mix and match assortment of magistrates consider the weight of voting for one or two. By not just filling out the “vote for…” number, you give added weight to your choice(s). Primaries have been tight in the past, so a margin of 50 votes could be the difference between November and giving it their best shot thanks for filing.
The hottest races locally remain the nomination for Huntington’s Mayor and the nomination for Cabell County Sheriff.
Huntington Mayor David Felinton faces formidable opposition with Bob Bailey who has won the endorsement of Huntington’s firefighter’s union. Aside from the Meet the Candidates gatherings, the race has not dominated in the fund raising and expense categories.
Felinton runs on his record for the last four years; Bailey challenges on promises of change and improvements. Shawn Bresnahan, the owner of LeCook Store, and Lucille Wright also have their hats in the ring. Tuesday’s winner will face current Cabell County Sheriff and former HPD officer, Kim Wolfe in November.
Incidentally, the city council races have fully filled choices in the At-Large, District 2 and District 5 sections of the city. Jim Ritter (District 1) and Scott Caserta (District 7) face no opposition.
Council will surely see new faces in January since term limits or other interests have not in the race: Mary Neely, Calvin Kent, Darrel Black, and Paul Farrell.
Six democratic candidates vie for the two ‘at large’ city wide positions: P.D. Adkins (incumbent , District 8), Joe Randolph, Rebecca Thacker, Scott Wallace, Steve Williams and Thomas McChesney. The top two vote getters face Republicans Alex Vence and Mike Davis in November.
West Huntington’s District Two has four democrats competing to face D. Everett Fullerton ( R) in November. Incumbent Teresa Loudermilk battles Clinton Bowen, Pete Gillespie, and Tom McCloud.
Sandra Clements appointed to council after Brandi Jacobs-Jones took the job of Director of Finance and Administration has three opponents: Jeremiah Jasper, John Vance, and Osagie Ayanru. Since no Republican filed, the winner of the primary will have an open field in November.
Two incumbents, Frances Jackson (D ) and Jim Insco (D ) face same party challengers --- Charles Harless and Richard Simmons, respectively.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s race has been hotly contested too with the contest pitting candidates with law enforcement experience against one with predominately a business/administrative background. Scott Bias , currently a Cabell County Commissioner, takes on four other democrats --- C.A. Adams, Greg Lawson, Herman Beckett, and Thomas McComas. The winner faces Republican Jim Scheidler in November.
The race for the seat of retiring Cabell County Circuit Judge John Cummings will be decided Tuesday. Jane Hustead, a long time assistant prosecutor in Cabell County vies for the spot against current city councilman and former federal prosecutor Paul T. Farrell.
Finally, five democrats want to represent the 16th District. Former House of Delegate member, former State Senator and former Huntington Mayor Robert Nelson joins incumbents Doug Reynolds and Dale Stephens, along with newcomers Amly Herrenkohl and Chris Tatum. Republican Incumbent Kelli Sobonya will run against the three top Democratic vote getters in November.
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OPINION: Prelude to Election Day…
The Contestants Have Spoken: Cast Your Votes
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – As Tuesday, May 13 approaches, the national ticket has spurred interest from both candidates. Hillary Clinton has run a bus and satellite truck show through the state’s small, medium and large communities. By way of contrast Barrack Obama, the presumed nominee, has stuck to the Charleston metropolitan area.
Obviously, West Virginia (and for that matter Kentucky) does not have the young, forward thinking, somewhat affluent demographics that tend to support him. To Obama’s credit, he has a big rally slated today at the Charleston Civic Center. On the eve of the vote, one speculates how much charisma the young senator from Illinois can sway?
Whether the national contest has any true import remains to be seen, but locally contests in the primary are buzzing. As usual, the list of magistrate candidates on the democratic ticket runs lengthy. Will Cabell voters forsake the shuddering basement establishment icons who have in one manner or another brought higher scrutiny than previously to their office?
Magistrates have been blamed for low bonds for drug offenders and endless continuances in the sluggish movement of so-called justice. The Herald-Dispatch did a soft shoe dance around the problem by its endorsements. Essentially, they asked voters to vote for a few of the recognizable incumbents and also vote for a few of the newcomers. The paper did not even send a loud message opposing seven time elected Magistrate Alvie Qualls. Of course, the recommendations of the ethics committee has not yet been upheld either.
Qualls has been suspended with pay by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The paper suggested that voters keep this in mind when they cross his well known name.
All of the Republicans will be nominated for the November general election, but, instead of a mix and match assortment of magistrates consider the weight of voting for one or two. By not just filling out the “vote for…” number, you give added weight to your choice(s). Primaries have been tight in the past, so a margin of 50 votes could be the difference between November and giving it their best shot thanks for filing.
The hottest races locally remain the nomination for Huntington’s Mayor and the nomination for Cabell County Sheriff.
Huntington Mayor David Felinton faces formidable opposition with Bob Bailey who has won the endorsement of Huntington’s firefighter’s union. Aside from the Meet the Candidates gatherings, the race has not dominated in the fund raising and expense categories.
Felinton runs on his record for the last four years; Bailey challenges on promises of change and improvements. Shawn Bresnahan, the owner of LeCook Store, and Lucille Wright also have their hats in the ring. Tuesday’s winner will face current Cabell County Sheriff and former HPD officer, Kim Wolfe in November.
Incidentally, the city council races have fully filled choices in the At-Large, District 2 and District 5 sections of the city. Jim Ritter (District 1) and Scott Caserta (District 7) face no opposition.
Council will surely see new faces in January since term limits or other interests have not in the race: Mary Neely, Calvin Kent, Darrel Black, and Paul Farrell.
Six democratic candidates vie for the two ‘at large’ city wide positions: P.D. Adkins (incumbent , District 8), Joe Randolph, Rebecca Thacker, Scott Wallace, Steve Williams and Thomas McChesney. The top two vote getters face Republicans Alex Vence and Mike Davis in November.
West Huntington’s District Two has four democrats competing to face D. Everett Fullerton ( R) in November. Incumbent Teresa Loudermilk battles Clinton Bowen, Pete Gillespie, and Tom McCloud.
Sandra Clements appointed to council after Brandi Jacobs-Jones took the job of Director of Finance and Administration has three opponents: Jeremiah Jasper, John Vance, and Osagie Ayanru. Since no Republican filed, the winner of the primary will have an open field in November.
Two incumbents, Frances Jackson (D ) and Jim Insco (D ) face same party challengers --- Charles Harless and Richard Simmons, respectively.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s race has been hotly contested too with the contest pitting candidates with law enforcement experience against one with predominately a business/administrative background. Scott Bias , currently a Cabell County Commissioner, takes on four other democrats --- C.A. Adams, Greg Lawson, Herman Beckett, and Thomas McComas. The winner faces Republican Jim Scheidler in November.
The race for the seat of retiring Cabell County Circuit Judge John Cummings will be decided Tuesday. Jane Hustead, a long time assistant prosecutor in Cabell County vies for the spot against current city councilman and former federal prosecutor Paul T. Farrell.
Finally, five democrats want to represent the 16th District. Former House of Delegate member, former State Senator and former Huntington Mayor Robert Nelson joins incumbents Doug Reynolds and Dale Stephens, along with newcomers Amly Herrenkohl and Chris Tatum. Republican Incumbent Kelli Sobonya will run against the three top Democratic vote getters in November.
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