CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bank executive Ann Urling announced Wednesday her candidacy for state treasurer in 2016.
“I may be new to politics, but I’m not new to the world of finance,” Urling said on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
Urling, a Republican, is the vice president at Summit Community Bank in Moorefield. State Senate President and gubernatorial candidate Bill Cole (R-Mercer, 06) joined Urling at the state Capitol on Wednesday as she launched her campaign.
Citing almost 30 years of retail and community banking experience, Urling said she stands out against fellow contenders including incumbent John Perdue.
“To me, the state treasurer is really the state government’s chief financial officer who manages the state’s $13 billion in revenue,” she said.
Asked by “Talkline” host Hoppy Kercheval how she would be different than Perdue, Urling responded with a question.
“Doesn’t it make sense to have an experienced banker serving as our state’s chief financial officer?” she asked.
Urling said she would not want to impose any big changes until she’s familiar with the banking system at the Treasurer’s Office.
Perdue, the longtime treasurer, has said he will seek re-election next year.