What is on your mind today? Use this thread to talk about anything, complain about something, send kudos to someone, or simply share gossip. Have a good weekend!

From Roll Call…

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) says he would support Democrat-backed language repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy if a 60-day buffer is added, CNN reported Wednesday night.
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By Bill Raney, President
West Virginia Coal Association

The EPA has declared a war on Appalachian Coal. The agency’s apparent intent to rescind the already issued Spruce Mine permit is the first time such an action has been taken and shows a reckless disregard for the impact on our people, on future investment in our region and even basic fairness.
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Mike Hall has been selected by the Senate Republican Caucus to serve as the Senate Minority Leader. Hall replaces the recently deceased Don Caruth in that capacity.
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As soon as Gov. Joe Manchin called for a special legislative session to focus on education reform for West Virginia, the West Virginia Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, quickly released the results of an unscientific survey as an attempt to discredit Gov. Manchin’s bold approach to reforming our public schools.
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What is on your mind today? Use this thread to talk about anything, complain about something, send kudos to someone, or simply share gossip. Have a good weekend!

It appears that not much has changed in southern West Virginia when it comes to vote related scandals. The string is starting to unravel on what appears to be yet another vote tampering scandal in Lincoln County.

According to various reports, it appears that as many as 80 deceased people may have voted in last week’s Primary election.
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On Wednesday, the Governor selected Mercer County Delegate John Shott to replace former State Senator Don Caruth, who passed away on May 1st. Shott was recommended by Caruth’s widow, Laura Caruth.
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By Stephen Reed

The Republican Party in West Virginia has achieved some real milestones in recent years. I can still vividly remember the thrill of being present in 2000 for George W. Bush’s first visit as a candidate to the State Capitol lawn, with Secret Service snipers on the rooftops and 5,000 people coming in from everywhere.
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I would encourage all of you to read Hoppy Kercheval’s commentary from yesterday entitle “Labor Pains,” which outlines the horrible week that labor unions across West Virginia had last week.
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The West Virginia Conservative Foundation has sent out a special action alert encouraging people to attend the Environmental Protection Agency hearing in Charleston today…
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Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito is speaking out about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Roll Call on the eve of a mountaintop mining permit hearing in Charleston.
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The path to victory for Mike Oliverio is tough. How does he fire up the traditional Democratic base while at the same time not turning off the conservative and independent voters that he will need to push him across the finish line in November.
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Incumbent Democratic Congressman Alan Mollohan goes down to primary challenger Mike Oliverio in what is undoubtedly the biggest surprise from last night. The theme seemed to be anti-incumbent as several entrenched state senators in both political parties lost their nomination contest.

Democrat Mike Oliverio will face Republican David McKinley in the First Congressional. In the Third Congressional District, Elliott “Spike” Maynard won the Republican nomination and will face incumbent Congressman Nick Rahall this fall.

This is a short update from election night. Look for a more in-depth commentary later today or tomorrow as we look at all the results from last evening.