Who's Who in the WV Governor's Race?

[Lasher]

Feb 13, 2011

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- With 14 candidates all vying for one seat, one thing's for certain, the special gubernatorial election in West Virginia is unclear and uncertain.

A drawing was held at the Secretary of State's office Sunday afternoon to figure out what order names would appear on the ballot for the primary election in May.
Click here to find out more!

On the republican ticket, Bill Maloney tops the list, with Betty Ireland and Mitch Carmichael at the bottom.

Ralph William Clark, Larry Faircloth, Mark Sorsaia, Clark Barnes and Cliff Ellis fill the middle of the ticket.

For the democrats, Earl Ray Tomblin takes the top spot followed by Jeff Kessler.

Natalie Tennant come in at the bottom, with John Perdue, Rick Thompson and Arne Moltis in the middle.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Whos_Who_in_the_WV_Governors_Race_116137259.html

Edit: Just got a call from a John Perdue campaign worker. The game is on! Right now I like Tomblin but I have by no means made up my mind.

[Kurmudgeon]

1. I'm surprised they listed Natalie at the bottom, I've barely heard of the others.

[Staph]

2. The listing is random.

The drawing at the SecState's office was to randomly choose that order.

I'd bet that Natalie isn't happy with being the last name on the list. Name recognition is useful, but some voters are lazy readers!

[Kurmudgeon]

3. I like Tennant, WV doesn't need an out of state puppet like Raese for example.

[MadAnne]

4. Why do you like Tomblin? n/t

[Lasher]

5. Mainly because I know him.

I've been trying to find out where these candidates stand on the issues so that I can make a more informed choice. Rick Thompson has just been endorsed by the AFL-CIO.

[MadAnne]

6. Come join us.

http://www.wvablue.com/

[hollowdweller]

8. I think Tomblin is smart enough for the job.

My only concern about him is he seems a little too ready to give away the store to businesses in order to get a few jobs.

I'm all for increasing employment and good jobs but we have such a history of businesses coming here that either require costly cleanups at state expense or who exploit workers or so damage the scenery and environment that they ruin the chances for any sort of business that the workers would like a sort of clean pretty place to live.

[theHandpuppet]

9. I can't support many of these candidates

Their failure to support women's reproductive rights is appalling. This is a make or break issue for me.

The Gazette-Mail also asked candidates whether they would sign legislation limiting access to abortion, if passed by the Legislature.

Most said they would, but some added caveats.

Tomblin said he believes "in the sanctity of life and will do all I can to protect that."

"With all legislation, however, I will examine each bill individually before committing to signing it," Tomblin said.

Kessler said he opposes abortion because of his Catholic faith, but added "neither I or any of my opponents have the ability as governor to overturn" the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion.

Perdue and Thompson said they would approve measures limiting abortion access, with Thompson saying he is particularly concerned about late-term abortions.

Perdue added, "I believe that life is a precious gift from God."

Only Tennant indicated that she would not sign such legislation.

"When a woman faces a difficult health decision, I trust her to make that decision with her doctor, not the government," she said. "It might not be the decision I would make, but I trust her to do a better job for her health and her family than some politician."

[hollowdweller]

7. My wife said Sorsaia, was a piss poor prosecutor

She used to have to work with him when she was trying to do enforcement and could never get him to help, could never get him to return calls. I can remember her coming home from work frustrated.