Yes he is a lightweight. He will not be the nominee,
his own grandfather, a yellow dog Democrat, campaigns against him. He has been treasurer of the state GOP since December and has raised less than $4,000. He is about ready to be booted from that post.
He raised less than $20,000 in a statewide run for AG last year and he is a poor public speaker. He almost beat a flawed vulnerable incumbent, but many other more qualified candidates had thought the incumbent AG unbeatable. The AG's brother was defeated for reelection to the State Supreme Court.
Hiram lost the 2002 Primary to challenge Jay Rockefeller to Jay Wolfe by a 2:1 margin. He also lost a State Senate race in 2000 by a 3:1 margin.
I believe McGraw beat him by less than 6,000 votes statewide.Not bad for a guy who raised less than 20K and was in Iraq part of the year.
But hey,I tend to be an optimist!
Who do you support?
We've read your naysaying on Hiram. Now let's hear about the candidate(s) you feel are favored to run for Byrd's seat.
Let's clear the air shall we?
The failure of the state GOP in WV has absolutely nothing to do with Hiram Lewis. In fact, he has been the ONLY person stepping out in a positive way to try to move the broken party forward.
Furthermore, there is hardly any talent in the state of WV that can rise to GOP leadership the way that Hiram can. Hiram choosing to run DESPITE the fact that his own family is entrenched in the democrat bondange in this state is evidence of his uncompromising leadership ability. Not only that, it proves that his message is close to home for him AS A WEST VIRGINIAN.
There IS no one raising money for the state party...not even our Republican hero Shelley Moore Capito, who everyday becomes more and more a part of the D.C. hoity-toities, that she is completely loosing touch in her district. If she wanted, she could dump $50K into the state party to help save it. But no....she is too concerned about her politicking than she is about helping a Conservative state become Republican - and being able to take the credit for it.
There is no GOP leader here with the courage that Hiram Lewis has. Period.