ELECTION EDITION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016 | MARSHALL UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER | marshallparthenon.com | SPECIAL EDITION
Reynolds falls short in attorney general race By NANCY PEYTON
RYAN FISCHER | THE PARTHENON
Cole falls to Justice By JARED CASTO
THE PARTHENON Republican gubernatorial candidate and state Senate President Bill Cole conceded defeat Tuesday in the race for West Virginia’s governorship. At Cole’s Embassy Suites election party in Charleston, Cole urged supporters to continue championing the platform and ideas that he had established his campaign upon. “Even though we came up a little bit short tonight, the issues we fought for should not, will not, cannot be given
up on or forgotten,” Cole said. Cole took the stage only minutes after the Associated Press called the race in favor of Cole’s opponent, billionaire and owner of The Greenbrier resort Jim Justice, at 9:17 p.m. Cole used his platform to stress the accomplishments of the Republican-led state Senate and the continual fortitude of West Virginia, which he said he saw multiple times during June’s historic flooding. “I end this race with a new appreciation for our state,” Cole said. “Having now
West Virginia GOVERNOR: Jim Justice, D.
SECRETARY OF STATE: Mac Warner, R. AUDITOR: John McCuskey, R.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: Patrick Morrisey, R. TREASURER: John Perdue, D.
AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER: Kent Leonhardt, R.
U.S. House of Representatives DISTRICT 1: David McKinley, R. DISTRICT 2: Alex Mooney, R.
DISTRICT 3: Evan Jenkins, R.
W.Va. House of Delegates
DISTRICT 16: Carol Miller, R. Sean Hornbuckle, D. Chuck Romine, R.
DISTRICT 17: Matt Rohrbach, R. Chad Lovejoy, D.
DISTRICT 18: Kelli Sobonya, R.
W.Va. Senate:
DISTRICT 5: Robert Plymale, D.
visited all 55 counties and met with West Virginians from all walks of life, I can tell you the strength of our state rests with their people.” Following Cole’s speech, supporters stormed the stage, embracing the state Senate president and comforting him for his loss. Prior to Cole’s concession, supporters at the event were hopeful for a win. Two projections were on display at the event, one displaying Fox News and the other MetroNews election results. As MetroNews began to report precincts, it was clear that Cole was lagging behind his opponent. Those in attendance appeared to be equally supportive of Republican politicians elsewhere on the ballot. Cheers poured out from the crowd as Trump added to his electorate, with similar reactions for senate, state and local Republicans But the cheerful mood became measurably somber after the AP’s call, and attendees began to disperse shortly after Cole’s speech. During their respective campaigns, Justice distanced himself from President Barack Obama and democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Meanwhile,
Cole championed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who won West Virginia’s Republican primary, as well as the general election. Justice used many of Cole’s preferred presidential candidate’s campaign strategies. Notably, Justice framed Cole as a political insider, citing Cole’s handful of years in the state Senate and House of Delegates. In contrast, Cole attacked Justice’s business ventures and suggested the billionaire lacked a plan for the state, with Cole spokesman Kent Gates quoted in an August “Charleston GazetteMail” article saying, “Jim Justice has no plan other than some risky Wall Street scheme.” But with the dust settled, Cole GOP were ready to accept the defeat and move on to the political issues facing the state, with a greater focus on the legislature. “I think if we retain the majority in the legislature and continue the work that Bill Cole and Tim Armstead have done so far, I really think we can keep working and working,” said Nathaniel Burdette, a Cole supporter and member of the teenage Republicans. “And maybe in four years, we can see a Republican victory for the governor’s mansion.”
NEWS EDITOR Democrat Doug Reynolds fell to Republican incumbent Patrick Morrisey in the West Virginia attorney general race. “Obviously I am disappointed, but I appreciate the support from all of you,” Reynolds said. Reynolds is from Huntington, where he currently resides with his wife and four children. Reynolds is a graduate of West Virginia University College of Law, and was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in 2002. Reynolds now serves as a West Virginia delegate in the House of Representative for District 17. In 2016, Reynolds has been the lead sponsor of six bills, half in education and the other half in judiciary. Reynolds is Chief Executive Officer of Energy Services of America, a Huntington-based regional engineering and construction company. He is also managing partner in HD Media, the holding company of The Herald-Dispatch and Wayne County News. Reynolds previously ran his own law firm and served as an assistant prosecuting attorney. In community service, Reynolds is the former president of the United Way of the River Cities. He currently serves on the boards of the Marshall University Foundation, Cabell Huntington Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington. Reynolds’ prominent stances during the campaign included creating jobs through small business initiatives, protecting
senior citizens from predatory scams and fighting the drug epidemic in the Mountain State. Incumbent Morrisey is currently finishing his first term as West Virginia attorney general. He is from Harper’s Ferry and received a juris doctor from Rutgers Law School-Newark. Morrisey has practiced law since 1992, when he worked on many high profile health care matters in the private sector. He was a partner and then a practice group cochair at two of the largest law firms in the country. Morrisey previously served as deputy staff director and chief health care counsel to the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. In this position, he worked closely on health care legislation, specifically the Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness Act of 2002. Morrisey’s major stances for the campaign included stopping EPA overreach, fighting the opioid epidemic and creating a better business climate for West Virginia. Morrisey and Reynolds debated on the steps of the Capitol Oct. 19 in Charleston. The debate was an impromptu event, where the candidates discussed the drug problems in the state, the presidential race and issues surrounding the EPA’s policies effects on the coal industry. Reynolds delivered his concession statement on Nov. 8 at the 21 at the Frederick in Huntington. Nancy Peyton can be contacted at peyton22@ marshall.edu.
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Huntington Mayor Williams elected for second term THE PARTHENON Democrat Steve Williams won re-election as mayor of Huntington Tuesday. Williams, the incumbent, beat out GOP challenger and Huntington city council member Tom McCallister. With Williams returning to the position, he said he hopes to continue to focus on his plans to improve the city and overall quality of life of its residents. “Our mantra is make no little plans,” Williams said. “Frankly, if you look at anything we’ve done, they’re bigger than anything we’ve done, than anybody has done in the last few years.” Among Williams’ plans to help revitalize the city, the mayor has stated he wants to redevelop the Highlawn area and bring a major hotel chain to
the downtown area. Williams hopes these, as well as other plans, can improve the economy of the city and encourage new business. Perhaps Williams’ toughest task will be to tackle the opioid problem that has dominated local and national headlines as of late. Following his victory, Williams spoke directly to those concerned about the epidemic. “We’re all worried sick, sick to death over what’s happening,” Williams said. “But, the idea is very simply this: if you name it, you can own it, and if you can name it and own it, you can defeat it. We’re setting a standard others around the country are seeking to follow.” Williams defeated McCallister 71 percent to 29 percent, receiving 10,392
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