Laura Dean Bennett
Staff Writer
A driving rainstorm didn’t dampen the spirits of those gathered at the Opera House last Tuesday evening to meet Democratic candidates running for statewide and local offices in West Virginia.
The Pocahontas County Democratic Executive Committee hosted the gathering, intended to give voters a chance to hear each candidate speak on issues of concern to West Virginians.
After they spoke, the candidates spent time talking with and answering questions from audience members.
Local historian and Fort Warwick owner Bob Sheets, wearing 18th Century pioneer attire, opened the meeting with historical perspective.
He read from the Fort Gower Resolves, a letter of support to the “patriots meeting in Philadelphia” in response to England’s Intolerable Acts, one of Colonial America’s several grievances against English rule, which preceded the American Revolution.
Quoting the document, Sheets read a passage referring to the British Crown: “We respect your power, but we respect liberty and freedom even more.”
After that colorful beginning, the candidates introduced themselves, describing their experience, qualifications and reasons for their candidacies.
In attendance:
Steve Williams is the Democratic nominee for Governor of West Virginia. Proud of his service as Huntington’s mayor, Williams has deep West Virginia roots – both of his grandfathers were coal miners.
Thornton Cooper, running for the office of West Virginia Secretary of State, a South Charleston attorney with nearly three decades of experience in several state agencies.
Teresa Toriseva, having served nine terms as Special Assistant Attorney General for West Virginia is running to be West Virginia’s first female Attorney General. She had a last-minute conflict and could not make the meeting. Campaign manager, Steve McElroy spoke on her behalf.
Deborah Stiles, family farmer with a passion for West Virginia farming and experience as an agricultural researcher, is the Democratic candidate for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture.
Glenn Elliott, candidate for Sen. Joe Manchin’s U. S. Senate seat – and endorsed by Manchin – two term Mayor of Wheeling, began his political career as legislative assistant to Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
Mary Ann Clayton, running for West Virginia Auditor, has 22 years’ experience auditing in the state auditor’s office.
Mandy Smith Weirich, candidate for West Virginia State Senate, District 11, whose first career as a police officer was followed by 15 years as a West Virginia social worker.
Paul Detch, running for West Virginia’s House of Delegates in the 46th District, (which includes southern Pocahontas and eastern Greenbrier counties) has practiced law for 50 years and taught medical law at WV School of Osteopathic Medicine for 18 years.
This fall, Pocahontas countians will elect a new sheriff, a new county commissioner and a new prosecuting attorney and all three Democratic candidates for those offices were present and spoke at the meeting:
Troy McCoy, candidate for Sheriff of Pocahontas County, is a lifelong Pocahontas County resident and has 35 years of law enforcement experience in the Sheriff’s Department.
Laura Finch Kershner, local Pocahontas County attorney running for Prosecuting Attorney of Pocahontas County.
Jay Miller, Hillsboro resident and candidate for Pocahontas County Commissioner.
Dawn Baldwin Barrett, resident of Bartow and candidate for the northern district seat on Pocahontas County’s Board of Education was also present at the meeting.