By SAMANTHA PERRY
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
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Last Monday, the West Virginia Legislature passed a last-minute measure that sets an Aug. 28 primary and Nov. 2 general election to fill the seat of the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
At that time, the top contenders for the Senate seat were current West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. However Capito announced Tuesday she would not run for the seat.
Many political insiders felt Capito was the lone Republican threat to Manchin. However, other candidates are lining up for the special election, including 10 Republicans and three Democrats. The growing slate of hopefuls vying for their party’s nomination include former Secretary of State Ken Hechler and Republican industrialist John Raese.
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While many in the deep south counties of West Virginia have not always agreed with Gov. Manchin’s policies — let’s not rehash the turbulent turnpike toll issue — the governor has proven to be an effective leader for West Virginia.
Manchin is a known micro-manager, but that’s not necessarily a bad characteristic. Many of his policies have markedly improved the running of the state’s government during his tenure. And let’s not forget that during these times of a national recession, West Virginia has continually ended its fiscal year in the black — a notable achievement.
Manchin is also a very charismatic governor, a trait that would serve him and the state well on Capitol Hill. Here at the Daily Telegraph, we often refer to Manchin as the “rock star” governor. Certainly, this quality could serve West Virginia well, as many contentious issues — including the notorious cap-and-trade bill — are brought up for a vote in coming months.
Although Capito appears to no longer be in the running for the Senate seat, she, too, has many qualities that would serve the state well.
I first met Capito several years ago when she came to an editorial board session at the Daily Telegraph. Capito met with me and then Executive Editor Tom Colley for about an hour on a rainy afternoon.
My first impressions of the congresswoman were simple: She came alone — no press folks, no cops, no campaign gurus. It was simply the congresswoman, adorned in a blue suit, with an umbrella as an accessory.
After a lengthy Q and A by Colley and myself, we ended the session feeling very confident in Capito’s capabilities. As the congresswoman exited the Daily Telegraph’s door, Tom and I discussed her qualifications. She was smart. She was capable. She was a force to be reckoned with.
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While Capito seems destined to be re-elected to serve West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, other House races in West Virginia and Virginia are not so cut and dry.
Nick Rahall faces a formidable challenge in the 3rd Congressional race from Republican Spike Maynard.
Maynard campaigned heavily during the primary, and appeared to pose a viable threat to Rahall — who cast a seemingly unpopular vote for health care reform.
But the political climate has changed again since May with the horrific tragedy at the Upper Big Branch Mine. Maynard is known to have close ties with Don Blankenship of Massey Energy, and many speculate this could hurt him when November rolls around.
On the Virginia side of the line, incumbent Democrat Rick Boucher, of the aptly called “Fightin’ 9th,” also faces a significant challenge from Republican state Del. Morgan Griffith of Salem. Interestingly, Griffith actually resides in Virginia’s 6th District, but the state law allows him to run in the Ninth. Griffith says the 9th District boundary runs right behind the property line of his home.
Boucher has been under fire since he cast a vote for cap-and-trade legislation, an extremely unpopular measure in coalfield counties.
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If you happen to come across a Daily Telegraph staff member in the coming weeks with a crazed look in his or her eyes, don’t be alarmed. It’s simply that time of the year.
The Pride time of year.
Each September the Telegraph publishes a special section that details, in a sense, all that is good about southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia. This year’s section is titled “There’s No Place Like Home,” and will report on the region’s favorite traditions, culture and more.
Of course, a special section of this size can be a bit hectic for the staff. Reporters worried about breaking news stories are also concerned with filing their Pride copy on deadline.
It’s a crazy time, especially when one considers we’ve also just published our premier edition of The Gorges (a southern West Virginia tourism magazine) and are working on the autumn edition of Prerogative magazine. The sports folks are also busily working on this year’s fall football special section.
While writers are now facing their deadlines for Pride, next month the stress will transfer to our copy editors, who will be charged with putting together “There’s No Place Like Home,” along with the daily paper, special sections and more.
So yes ... Daily Telegraph staffers may seem a little frazzled now, but it’s all good. In truth, we often do our best work when under the gun. As a general rule, we don’t like slow days, and much prefer to be busy.
While these special publications may appear to be a recipe for craziness, it’s a good kind of crazy.
And, I’m sure, we’ll all be proud of Pride when it rolls out the door to our readers.
Samantha Perry is managing editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at sperry@bdtonline.com.
