Contested races abound as W.Va. nears filing deadline

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A last-minute withdrawal was among the surprises Saturday as West Virginians decided whether to take the political plunge before the midnight deadline for 2008 candidacy filings.

State Sen. John Unger dropped his bid for a shot at challenging Republican U.S. Rep Shelley Moore in the 2nd District. The Berkeley County Democrat had already raised at least $150,000 and lined up support from the state’s two U.S. House Democrats and some of their congressional colleagues.

Unger, who won his latest legislative term in 2006, issued a statement citing hurdles facing the economy, schools and the health care system that he blamed on Bush administration policies.

“I believe it is more beneficial for me to focus my attention on working closely with the people of West Virginia to find solutions to these problems, rather than spend the next 10 months campaigning for Congress,” the statement read.

With other Democrats possibly deterred by Unger’s early progress, two South Charleston residents have filed for a chance to take on Capito in November: former Mayor Richie Robb and lawyer Thornton Cooper.

U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan and Nick Rahall were awaiting word of any primary or potential GOP opponents in the 1st and 3rd Districts.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller has a primary challenger, fellow Democrat Billy Hendricks of Boone County. The 70-year-old former governor and secretary of state is running for a fifth term.

Candidate filings previously produced contests in several other ballot-topping offices.
Seeking a second term, Gov. Joe Manchin will face Delegate Mel Kessler, D-Raleigh in the primary. Former state Sen. Russ Weeks, R-Raleigh, hopes to gain the GOP nod in that race.

Chief Justice Elliott “Spike” Maynard also faces a contested primary, amid questions about his ties to a coal company executive recently highlighted by vacation photos showing them together in Monaco. Filings have him vying with former Justice Margaret Workman, law professor Robert Bastress and Huntington lawyer Menis Ketchum for two seat up on the court. Charleston lawyer Beth Walker is the sole Republican to file for one of those seats.

Dan Greear of Charleston and Hiram Lewis of Morgantown will battle for the Republican nomination to challenge Attorney General Darrell McGraw, with the Democrat seeking a fifth term.

Secretary of State Betty Ireland, who has fielded the candidate filings as West Virginia’s chief elections officers, has decided not to seek a second term. Fellow Republican Charles Minimah has filed to keep the seat in their party’s column.

Democrats pursuing that post are House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, D-Hancock, Senate Majority Whip Bill Wayne Bailey, D-Wyoming, and former broadcaster Natalie Tennant.

Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass will have a primary opponent, Democrat Oscar Casto of Berkeley County. The remaining statewide executive branch officers, Auditor Glen Gainer and Treasurer John Perdue, appeared unopposed for either the primary or general election.

The entire 100-seat House of Delegates is also up for election this year, along with 17 of 34 state Senate seats. Numerous circuit and family court judgeships are on the ballot as well.

Ireland’s office will accept mailed-in filings postmarked by midnight.