July 23, 2010
Raese Enters U.S. Senate Contest
Calls for New Approach to Job Creation in West Virginia
Huntingtonnews.net Staff Analysis
Former State Republican Chairman John Raese made it official in a statewide
broadcast on Metronews. He's running for the unexpired term of the seat held
by the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd.
Raese, 60, said he is running out of a concern for the country his young daughters' generation will inherit. "Because of excessive government spending and regulation, we have become less competitive in so many of our industries," Raese said. "We have to turn this around and quickly. I'm not going to the U.S. Senate to pass another government "jobs plan." I'm going to get government off the backs of businesses, large and small."
Raese is Chairman and CEO of Greer Industries, a family business comprised of businesses, mostly in West Virginia, in the limestone, steel, media, and tourism industries. Raese is one of the state's largest employers, with nearly 1,000 employees.
Reaction to Raese's run was instantaneous in Republican quarters. "I think he's got a great shot this time," said former Bluefield Mayor Craig Hammond, a talk radio host in that southern West Virginia city. "People are looking for answers to our economic woes, and Raese is one of the state's most ardent advocates for good-paying, private sector jobs. The man and his message has hit an ideal political year."
Jack Ellis, a Putnam County political consultant, said that Raese has to know
he has a tough fight ahead against Manchin. "But you know, ever since
Raese's announcement, I've been surprised, quite frankly, at the number
of people I've talked to who say they think Raese can pull it off this time.
If he continues a strong message against bloated government and the
need to help state businesses and their employees, he could be a populist
conservative in the mold of Reagan with a powerful crossover vote appeal."
Raese faces fellow Republican Mac Warner and several lesser knowns in the shortened special primary election to be held August 28. The special general election will be held on the same day as the scheduled general election on November 2. Both Warner and Raese are from Morgantown, and Warner lost in the First District Congressional primary this past May to former State GOP Chairman and legislator David McKinley.
Meanwhile, Manchin will face former Secretary of State Ken Hechler, who is running on an anti-Mountaintop Removal platform. Hechler has said that he has "saved a little" for this campaign. The former Marshall University political science professor has earned significant royalties from his book, The Bridge at Remagen, along with other titles related to his work with President Harry Truman.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Raese Enters U.S. Senate Contest
Calls for New Approach to Job Creation in West Virginia
Huntingtonnews.net Staff Analysis
Former State Republican Chairman John Raese made it official in a statewide
broadcast on Metronews. He's running for the unexpired term of the seat held
by the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd.
Raese, 60, said he is running out of a concern for the country his young daughters' generation will inherit. "Because of excessive government spending and regulation, we have become less competitive in so many of our industries," Raese said. "We have to turn this around and quickly. I'm not going to the U.S. Senate to pass another government "jobs plan." I'm going to get government off the backs of businesses, large and small."
Raese is Chairman and CEO of Greer Industries, a family business comprised of businesses, mostly in West Virginia, in the limestone, steel, media, and tourism industries. Raese is one of the state's largest employers, with nearly 1,000 employees.
Reaction to Raese's run was instantaneous in Republican quarters. "I think he's got a great shot this time," said former Bluefield Mayor Craig Hammond, a talk radio host in that southern West Virginia city. "People are looking for answers to our economic woes, and Raese is one of the state's most ardent advocates for good-paying, private sector jobs. The man and his message has hit an ideal political year."
Jack Ellis, a Putnam County political consultant, said that Raese has to know
he has a tough fight ahead against Manchin. "But you know, ever since
Raese's announcement, I've been surprised, quite frankly, at the number
of people I've talked to who say they think Raese can pull it off this time.
If he continues a strong message against bloated government and the
need to help state businesses and their employees, he could be a populist
conservative in the mold of Reagan with a powerful crossover vote appeal."
Raese faces fellow Republican Mac Warner and several lesser knowns in the shortened special primary election to be held August 28. The special general election will be held on the same day as the scheduled general election on November 2. Both Warner and Raese are from Morgantown, and Warner lost in the First District Congressional primary this past May to former State GOP Chairman and legislator David McKinley.
Meanwhile, Manchin will face former Secretary of State Ken Hechler, who is running on an anti-Mountaintop Removal platform. Hechler has said that he has "saved a little" for this campaign. The former Marshall University political science professor has earned significant royalties from his book, The Bridge at Remagen, along with other titles related to his work with President Harry Truman.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
