CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Democrat and Republican leaders in West Virginia rarely agree on much, but both GOP Chairman Conrad Lucas and Democrat Party Chairperson Belinda Biafore do agree there is excitement among voters this year in the state.
Both indicated on MetroNews Talkline Tuesday they have full ballots for the upcoming primary election. Lucas said there is more evidence of an emerging Republican party in the state with more and more contested Republican primaries in places where traditionally Republicans never even ran.
“To look at the list of filings is incredible to see the energy on our side of the aisle,” Lucas said. “We have contested primaries in MIngo, McDowell,and Wyoming Counties. That’s just part of our becoming a Republican state.”
The GOP’s revolution in West Virginia dated back to 2000 when West Virginia became the swing state which propelled George W. Bush into the White House. West Virginia support doubled for Bush in his second term. The last two presidential elections have seen Republicans capitalize on the unpopularity of Barrack Obama and Lucas thinks it will still be in play this year.
“We’re very pleased to report a strong slate of candidates and I predict another strong year for conservatives in West Virginia,” Lucas added.
But Biafore disagreed. She said in fact, the Republicans’ success will be their undoing because of their action in leading the state.
“I think there’s a combination of frustration going on added to the fact that some of the legislation that has gone through is outraging working families,” Biafore said. “People are frustrated. People are mad. They don’t like the status-quot and they’re stepping up to run for office.”
Biafore said the other good thing with contested primaries would be an increase in voter turnout. She predicted a swing back toward the Democrat side in this year’s elections because West Virginians are fed up with how Republicans have operated at the state house for the past two years.
“Everybody wanted to cry foul and say for 80 years we were going down the wrong road. People were saying what have you done for us?’ said Biafore. “Now we’re able to say well look what they’re doing to you. We were able to at least let you hold onto what you had. They’re coming in here wanting to take everything.”
Both Biafore and Lucas said the non partisan election of judges will be an interesting change to this year’s election process. The change means Supreme Court candidates will not run as they traditionally have under party affiliation and they’ll not need a majority of votes to get the office in the Mary primary. Simply getting the highest percentage of votes will be enough. Biafore and Lucas both stressed the best way to solve the concern would be voter turnout and both indicated their sides are energized for both the primary and general election.