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Virginia Family Foundation PAC, based on his pro-family positions on a variety of topics. Howell was notified of the endorsement on Wednesday.
In announcing the endorsement, Kevin McCoy, WVFF PAC chairman, said, “We commend Gary Howell for his favorable response to our family vales questionnaire and for his strong commitment to protecting tradition family values.”McCoy added, “Our family values questionnaire is an excellent tool to evaluate a candidate's commitment to those values our organization and its members hold dear. We are please to endorse his candidacy and look forward to working with him in the near future.”West Virginia Family Foundation is a conservative grassroots organization which seeks to promote pro-family values within the state of West Virginia. Howell said he was honored by the WVFF’s support.“West Virginia families share values and ideals that are ingrained through a love of God, a belief in the family unit, and a commitment to strong communities,” said Howell. “In the State Senate, I’ll fight for those values, and I’ll be a voice for hard working families across the district.”Howell is owner and operator of Howell Automotive in Keyser, a leading supplier of auto parts. In 2003, Gary was named “Exporter of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was honored by the West Virginia Motor Sports Council in 2005 for promoting West Virginia across the country. He was also honored with the Governors Commendation for International Market Entry 2007, in recognition for completing sales with the Philippines, South Africa, Aruba, Belgium, Greece, Spain and Sweden.The 14th Senate district covers all or parts of the counties of Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor and Tucker.-------
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REPUBLICAN OF THE YEAR
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CLICK TO PURCHASE -- Click the image above to purchase a ticket to the Rock'n'Roll Party for Russ Weeks on Sept. 16 at the Raleigh County Armory in Beckley. All online donations of $20 or more between now and Sept. 16 to the Weeks campaign will be credited toward admission to the event. Tickets are also available at WVGOP headquarters. The fundraiser is being hosted by Joe and Julia Long, Del. Linda Sumner, Raleigh County Chairman Dereck Severt, and Summers County Chairman Joe Garcia. Call 304-344-4671 for more details, or click here.
Probe of WVU scandal questioned
Some lawmakers fear wrong investigative unit handling it
The Commission on Special Investigations is looking into the scandal at West Virginia University involving the phony degree awarded to the daughter of Gov. Joe Manchin, according to Thursday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.But some Republican lawmakers believe the CSI probe might be designed to protect Manchin and others involved in the scandal.During the June special session of the State Legislature, Del. Jonathan Miller (R-Berkeley) called for a probe of the WVU scandal by the Joint Judiciary Committee, which would have made the investigation much more open.Several Democrats scoffed at Miller's suggestion, saying it was not their job to oversee WVU. Now, though we learn that the CSI is handling just such a probe.The Commission on Special Investigations is chaired by Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and Speaker Rick Thompson. Its proceedings are kept under wraps unless and until it decides it wants to make any findings public.The commissions primary purpose is to "conduct comprehensive and detailed investigations into the purchasing practices and procedures of the state." But it is also empowered to "investigate or examine any matter involving conflicts of interest, bribery of or officer of the state."But the closed nature of the CSI makes it ripe for political maneuvering and reaching conclusions it wants to reach, rather than where the facts may lead it. The Post-Gazette found out about the CSI probe because of emails found in documents it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. As the newspaper reported Thursday:Those documents include an exchange of e-mails last month between then-WVU general counsel Alex Macia and Steven Hayes, the New York attorney representing Ms. Bresch.Mr. Macia, who subsequently left the university, informed Mr. Hayes on July 8 that the legislative commission was asking for a copy of the memo rescinding her degree and "grade modification forms that caused her transcript to be updated" in October. Mr. Macia advised Mr. Hayes to release the records voluntarily despite whatever concerns he had about Ms. Bresch's right to privacy."The commission ... does have subpoena power and could cause the grand jury of Monongalia County to issue subpoenas," Mr. Macia wrote.Subsequent e-mails indicate Mr. Hayes agreed to the release with the condition that he or Ms. Bresch review the documents before they were turned over.Gov. Joe Manchin and others might have less to fear from a probe by the Commission on Special Investigations than from the Judiciary Committee investigation the GOP wanted.
WVU student paper says Manchin speech fell flat
The Daily Anthenaeum, the student newspaper of West Virginia University, editorialized Thursday that Gov. Joe Manchin's speech at the Democratic National Committee fell flat."It was a chance for a real cause to be heard. But that speech never came. Instead, Manchin tiptoed around the issues that matter most to West Virginians. There was rarely a mention about the state’s crippling unemployment and the lack of exciting new business opportunities despite $50,000 revamps of state logos that themselves were later replaced. Manchin, instead, opted to deliver a message that things were getting better."The paper added, "Unlike the rest of the West Virginia delegates stuck in the nosebleed section of the convention hall, Manchin had the main focus. And he squandered it."
Gary Howell wins endorsement from West Virginia Family Foundation
GARY HOWELL
Gary Howell, candidate for the State Senate in the 14th District, has won the endorsement of the West(Press Release) J. Michael Teets kicked off his General Election campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture with a commitment to use his experience in public service and farming to protect the state’s consumers and help West Virginia’s farmers compete well into the future.Speaking at a rally recently in Lost River, Teets said his background makes him the best person to lead the Department of Agriculture in the 21st Century and ensure the safety of West Virginians’ food supply.“This campaign is not about who is best known. It is about who is best able to lead,” Teets said. “The world is changing, as are the challenges faced by farmers and consumers. As Agricultural Commissioner, I will work with the employees, the Legislature and the public to make sure West Virginia has a system that is the envy of the nation.”Teets was born in Lost River, Hardy County, and has a degree in business administration. He served 14 years on the Hardy County Commission and was instrumental in organizing the county’s Farmland Preservation Board. Teets also has spent 16 years with the Hardy County Rural Development Authority and currently serves as its vice president.“West Virginia has a wonderful opportunity to help its producers and its people by marketing our outstanding commodities to our great state’s residents and visitors as well as people around the country and around the world,” Teets said. During the coming months, Teets will outline other priorities, including how the Department of Agriculture will play a vital role in the state’s future and why he is the best person to lead it.“The work the Department of Agriculture does affects all West Virginians,” Teets explained. “We must have rules and regulations that reflect the 21st Century, we must have departments that work closely together, and we must have consumers who understand how they can protect themselves from potential threats to their health and welfare.”Teets has been married to Joyce Godlove Teets for 35 years. They have two children, Dr. Tina Teets Walker and Matthew Teets, and three grandsons. Tina is a veterinarian who owns Lost River Animal Hospital, and Matthew is a partner with his Dad in a farming operation that has 550 head of cattle and four turkey houses.For more about why Michael Teets should be your Commissioner of Agriculture, check out his web site, www.miketeetsforwv.comTeets promises policies to bring progress to Dept. of Agriculture
'Yes he can' deliver a laundry list of liberal programs like all Dems
Even framed on a giant screen between Greek columns like a god sent from Mount Olympus, Barack Obama gave the same speech delivered by liberals over and over for the past three decades. More spending for every social issue under the sun comprised the gist of Obama's grand plan for America. And for those who have been wondering who would finally go on the attack against John McCain, it turned out to be the nominee himself -- not surprising when there is so little to say about yourself. But when McCain's life story is presented video-style next week, its meat and potatoes will make last night's ode to Obama look like the creme-filled pastry that it was.Having Fun
With Mojo
Hanging out with all the lesser governors
Hey kids! Mojo here! I just attended a meeting of the National Governors Association, and as one of the few real National Governors in the room, I have to admit, I was quite impressive! As I sat there listening to one boring speech after another, I started looking at each governor and reminding myself of their approval ratings versus my approval ratings! Guess what? I'm more popular than any of them! Well, except for one. That darned Sarah Palin has an approval rating of about 90 percent! But she's the goveror of Alaska -- not even a real part of the United States! Have to admit, she's easy on the eyes, and that probably accounts for her popularity! But what's the big issue in Alaska? Well, natural resources -- which explains why I'm the chair and she's the vice chair of the NGA's Natural Resources Committee! They would stick me on a committee with the only governor more popular than me! They're so jealous sometimes!
'MOJO' COLUMN RE SARAH PALIN
Suggestion of the Year award
Back in May, The Republican Gazette invited readers to suggest who John McCain should choose as his VP. Here's the response that turned out to be prescient.How about Sarah Palin - the Governor of Alaska? She has an impressive bio, one of the highest approval ratings among Governors (often in the 90's) and she was elected in 2006 - in no risk of losing her seat. She's young, a conservative who wants to open ANWAR, and would compliment McCain well to turn out the conservative base.-- Lisa Peana, Ceredo
GOP: the bald and the babe
McCain's pick of Alaska governor shakes up a race that has been anything but boring to begin with, and probably turns out to be a stroke of genius across the board
SARAH PALIN
John McCain's surprise selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is a risky move, but one that will likely pay off in the long run.If half the country was ready to elect Barack Obama president in spite of his lack of experience outside the Illinois legislature and one term as a U.S. senator, the other half should have no problem with a vice presidential candidate who is a former city council member, mayor and current governor of Alaska. If anything, Palin is more experienced than Obama.Can't wait to see Saturday Night Live when it comes back for a new season, as Tina Fey will undoubtedly return to portray Palin, since the resemblence is striking to begin with.Palin, a solid conservative, shakes up the race, probably in the GOP's favor.***UPDATED 4 P.M. FRIDAY***
