CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two candidates for the chairmanship of the state Democratic Party have proposed they serve as co-chairs. Belinda Biafore and Chris Regan sent an email to the 77 members of the executive committee suggesting the arrangement.
“We would like to propose that the Party consider the two of us for a co-chair arrangement that will allow each of us to do what we do best to serve the party,” Biafore and Regan said.
The chairmanship opened last month when Larry Puccio announced his resignation. Biafore, Regan, Nick Preservati and Rich Lindsay emerged as candidates for the position.
Biafore appeared to have the inside track. She’s the current vice-chair, has worked in Democratic Party politics in the state for over 30 years and has the support of Senator Joe Manchin.
However, Biafore and Regan said in their proposal that “this suggestion has come to us from so many Democrats we’ve heard from that we both thought that now was the right time to place that proposal before you, so that you may consider it in advance of our meeting Saturday.”
Biafore and Regan added that they wanted to “express our respect for Rich Lindsay and Nick Preservati who have also stepped forward and offered to lead. In the event our proposal is adopted, we would hope to discuss, with each of them, a role in helping us move the Party forward.”
The West Virginia Democratic Party is facing a series of challenges. In the last election, Republicans gained control of both chambers at the statehouse, won a U.S. Senate seat for the first time since the 1950’s and swept all three Congressional seats.
There has also been considerable internal debate among Democrats about the direction of the party; should it take a moderate to conservative approach following the lead of Senator Joe Manchin, or should it embrace the leftward tilt of the national party?
The Democratic Party Executive Committee meets Saturday at 11a in Flatwoods.