Posted on 10/03/2008 1:03:14 PM PDT by Maelstorm
BLUEFIELD — Democrat Natalie Tennant and Republican Charles Minimah are vying Nov. 4 for the position of Secretary of State.
Both candidates met with members of the Daily Telegraph editorial board last week, where they discussed a variety of issues ranging from local election night problems in Mercer County to addressing voter apathy in the Mountain State. Betty Ireland, the incumbent Secretary of State, isn’t seeking re-election.
Tennant, a former television reporter and anchor, now operates Wells Media Group with her husband Sen. Eric Wells, D-Kanawha. A graduate of West Virginia University, Tennant is a former candidate for the Secretary of State office, and also is the first — and only to date — female to represent the university as the official Mountaineer mascot.
“I’m running because I believe we should have confidence put back into our local voting system,” Tennant said. “I’m running because I believe we need to have confidence in the Secretary of State’s office. I also believe we need to have a Secretary of State’s office that is communicating to the county clerks and the voters themselves.”
Minimah was born in Nigeria where he enlisted and served in the military during the Nigerian Civil War. He came to American and West Virginia in 1976 to further his education at West Virginia State College, which is now West Virginia State University. In 1989, he and his wife Pamela started a home health care business serving senior citizens and the disabled Since that time, he has spearheaded two additional corporations, including one dedicated to education and economic development.
“I’m running for the Secretary of State’s office because that office needs a true leader, someone who has the vision and new ideas for the 21st century,” Minimah said. “Four years ago, West Virginians came together — Democrats and Republicans — and elected Betty Ireland as Secretary of State and made history. It showed that office is important and needs to be operated as non-partisan.”
Tennant said the recruitment of new poll workers is a focus of her campaign, and she is hoping to tap into various civic organizations and clubs across the state to find a diverse group of poll workers.
Minimah said he hopes to continue the successful work of Ireland with a focus on fighting voter apathy.
“Everyone talks about change, but most people don’t vote,” Minimah said. “Voter apathy is a very serious issue in West Virginia.”
Tennant said the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama has energized a new generation of young voters. Tennant said officials can pursue a number of additional ways of reaching new and young voters, including YouTube and other forms of modern technology.
Both Tennant and Minimah agree communication between the Secretary of State’s office and local county clerks and voter registration officials is key and can help avoid election night problems similar to those experienced by officials in Mercer County during the primary contest. The release of election results during the May contest were delayed until the early morning hours following an apparent computer glitch.
Tennant said the Secretary of State’s office should maintain a level of communication with all county clerks, and must be willing to help all county clerks.
“If you are only getting 15 percent of the results on election night, you’ve got a problem,” Tennant said.
Minimah said those who work in county clerk offices must be willing to embrace new technology.
“The way I will approach it when I get elected, I want to be seen as a Secretary of State that listens to the issues of the county clerks,” Minimah said. “When I get elected I will work toward some kind of partnerships. In having those relationships, it will work a lot more smoothly.”
Tennant said a strong information technology staff is necessary in the Secretary of State’s office. Tennant said efforts to educate voters in the use of new electronic voting machines should be expanded to include additional training sessions in communities across the state, including shopping malls and individual neighborhoods.
“The Secretary of State’s office is already in compliance,” Minimah said of the new voting machine standards. “But the issues we are faced with is the fear and intimidation of new. But as time goes on they will get used to it.”
When asked if they would consider using the Secretary of State’s office as a stepping stone for a higher office — including the position of governor — both candidates said no.
Minimah, who also expressed frustration about the lack of statewide media coverage surrounding the Secretary of State’s race, said he has no interest in using the Secretary of State’s office as a jumping point for higher political ambitions. He alleged Tennant did. That comment prompted a quick response from Tennant, who is making her second bid at the Secretary of State’s office.
“I’ve never said I would use it to run for governor,” Tennant said. “I’ve lost a race before. All I want to do is win one. That is my whole point.”
Minimah said he challenged Tennant to debates across the state. Minimah said Tennant has “some name recognition” due to her stint as a television news anchor, but said voters as a whole across the state have limited access to information about the candidates due to the lack of statewide media coverage.
“It appears the media has been selective in what races they choose to cover,” Minimah said.
Tennant disagreed, and said the editorial board session at the Daily Telegraph was proof of the media’s interest in the race. Tennant also questioned Minimah’s suggestion that her work as a television news anchor gave her an advantage in the race. Tennant said the race for Secretary of State isn’t a “beauty contest or a popularity contest.” She also disputed suggestions by Minimah that Ireland and former Secretary of State Ken Hechler had four televised debates. Tennant said she visited newspapers across the state, including the Daily Telegraph, during the May primary in hopes of generating interest and media coverage of the Secretary of State race.
It would sure put the lie to that theory that people won’t for Obama because they are racists if Obama loses in WV and this guy wins. Go Charles!
I totally agree. I was just thinking how the left never talk about racism when it is a black Republican losing.
*BUMP for Minimah*
Fascinating candidate.
Shame on Betty Ireland for quiting and shame on the WVGOP for (last I heard) not funding Minimah. (cool name) No Sec of state should be rat, easier for them to steal elections.
The party should be growing in West Va. It’s now safe on the Presidential level.
Bob Byrd is for Tennant, just saying.......
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