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WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gary Abernathy

Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Kiss to announce candidacy
for state Supreme Court; Tomblin not far behind in getting while the getting’s good, says Warner

CHARLESTON, WV – House Speaker Bob Kiss will this week announce the formation of an exploratory committee for a state Supreme Court race, state GOP Chairman Kris Warner said today. Warner said Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin will not be far behind in announcing his intention not to seek another term in the Senate.

“The Speaker and the Senate President can see the writing on the wall regarding more anticipated GOP gains in the Legislature in the 2004 elections,” said Warner. “They’re going to cut their losses while they can.”

In 2002, Republicans picked up 11 seats in the House and Senate, including knocking off the Senate’s Finance and Judiciary chairmen. Linda Sumner became the first Republican Delegate elected in decades in the 27th District, and so many Republicans have already filed there for 2004 that the GOP will have contested primaries, thanks in large part to the efforts of Raleigh County Chairman Joe Long.

Democrats replaced Pat Maroney with Mike Callaghan as chairman, and prominent Democrat legislators have been privately telling associates they expect 2004 to be an even bigger year for Republican gains.

“We’re going to have strong Republican candidates in every race in 2004,” said Warner. “Plus, we’ll have the best candidates in all statewide races, including Supreme Court. If Bob Kiss thinks he’s protecting himself by running for the court, he’s in for another surprise.”

Warner said Democrats realize that voters are fed up with the power and arrogance of 70 years of one party rule, and are turning to Republicans who are offering sound solutions to the state’s economic woes.

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From the WV Secretary of State website: http://www.wvsos.com/elections/candidates/precandidatesoffice.htm (in .pdf format - Adobe Acrobat viewer needed)

2004 Governor, Republicans: Robin C. Capehart (Wheeling, WV) & purported nutcase Henry Paul Kizer
Hmmmm, why don't I see Mr. Jay Wolfe's name listed yet!?

27th delegate district: yes, 6 Republicans listed. Very cool!