448 DAYS until the presidential election…49 DAYS BEFORE West Virginia’s gubernatorial election…with more activity, enthusiasm and interest in the presidential race…maybe the WV campaigns have decided to stay under the radar…save their money and fight another day…as the 2012 gubernatorial primary is only 129 DAYS AWAY.
Candidate speculation is underway for 2012…pressure building for Mark Sorsaia to seek the Attorney General spot…Sen. Clark Barnes who preserved the current congressional makeup…likely will not run for re-election…but seek the office Secretary of State…2008 Commissioner of Agriculture candidate Mike Teets is making calls about another run…Rick Rice who headed USDA Rural Development in the final years of the Bush administration is expressing interest in statewide office…GOP Chair Mike Stuart is always part of any speculation…you decided.
Looks like Senate President Tomblin [acting as Governor] is picking up more campaign appearances as the 49 days tick away…noted he was in Cabell & Raleigh counties last week…it’s easy handling official duties…and campaigning…RIGHT?
Maybe light will be shed on the Maloney for Governor campaign…when the 8/26 campaign finance report comes out…reports are there is organizational turmoil with the resignation of campaign manager…but having run a Governor’s campaign twice…there is always inside stirring.
Candidate comparison or SHOWDOWN…Governor [acting] Earl RayTomblin and GOP challenger Bill Maloney…will have their first joint appearance…at the Business Summit…hosted by WV Chamber…CHAMBER endorsed BOTH in their primary election bids…wonder if the presence of former Chamber staffer Roman Stauffer now working on the Maloney campaign…will influence the October 4th endorsement?
Republicans left Shepherdstown united…after a 79 to 24 vote doing away with the 2008 convention…despite a 40 minute plea by State Chairman Stuart…GOP delegates to the Republican National Convention…will now be elected by voters May 8th…as the presidential campaign looks now…Chairman Stuart may get his wish for WV relevance in the process.
The governor’s race will move to Wheeling on September 7th where Maloney and Tomblin will debate…wonder how many more of these “debates” are scheduled…or if they will make a difference.
Democrat action is in the House of Delegates…they messed up the House part of redistricting…they have a chance to create more single member districts…if not Republicans had better seek out their best…and go after them in 2012…it will make the 10 year wait for another round of redistricting…EASIER.