Committee selects Ross, Campbell, Moore
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Three Randolph County Democrats, Mike Ross, Denise Campbell and Randy Moore, are now waiting to see if one of them will be the new representative to the 37th District House of Delegates. The 37th District Delegate Democratic Executive Committee spent three hours Tuesday interviewing 13 candidates who hoped to fill the vacancy left by the recent death of Bill Proudfoot.
The committee was made up of Ed Tallman and Loretta Malcomb of Pocahontas County and Lynn Phillips and Julia Stevenson of Randolph County.
Gov. Joe Manchin has five days to appoint one of the three or select another person whom he deems qualified. Malcomb stressed Manchin does not have to choose one of the three names submitted. On Tuesday, Phillips said he planned to fax the names to the governor's office.
To be considered for the position state code requires that the candidate be a Democrat residing in Randolph County- the same specifications that followed Proudfoot's political party and residency.
"A very strenuous chore has been completed," Stevenson said prior to announcing the three names. Stevenson, Ross' sister, abstained from voting and did not participate in the committee's discussions about the candidates. However, Stevenson sat in during the interviews and served as the committee chairperson.
Stevenson explained the person selected will take office immediately and serve in the House of Delegates during the upcoming session. The Legislature will meet Jan. 14 to elect officers and the session begins Feb. 11.
Campbell resides in Elkins and is employed as the assistant administrator at the Elkins Regional Convalescent Center. In 2005, Campbell was appointed by Manchin to serve as state representative for Rural Health Care Facilities. Under Gov. Bob Wise, she worked on the nursing shortage task force. Campbell's resume includes serving on the board of directors for the West Virginia Center for Nursing; the board of the West Virginia Nurses Association; the West Virginia Health Care Association legislative committee; secretary for the West Virginia University Parent's Club; a member of the PTA; work on the pre-K planning committee; and numerous volunteer work.
Campbell was a candidate for the Randolph County Board of Education during the May Primary.
After finding out her name would be submitted to Manchin, Campbell said she was surprised and "feels good" that she is considered as someone who could represent the people of Randolph and Pocahontas counties. Campbell said if appointed education and health care would be priorities as well serving as a voice for residents of the 37th District.
Campbell's strong interest in health care includes ensuring residents of Pocahontas and Randolph counties have better access to health care. She also wants to limit wait time patients experience when seeing specialists.
"I have a strong desire to help other people and be a positive influence," Campbell said. "I would do my very best to work hard for the citizens of Randolph and Pocahontas counties and make myself available for any issue or concern they may have."
Campbell added that Proudfoot set a great example during his time in the House of Delegates and will be difficult to replace.
Ross, a resident of Coalton and self-employed, served as a state senator representing the 15th District for 12 years. He sought re-election in 2005 and 2007.
During a phone interview after the announcement, Ross said he is "certainly pleased." Ross explained he and Proudfoot shared similar backgrounds and ideas. He said he would use his past political experience and business knowledge to benefit his constituents.
Ross also noted his relationships with government leaders throughout the state and said he looks forward to working with them if appointed to the office.
"I still have a lot of friends in Charleston and that could be good for Randolph and Pocahontas counties," Ross said.
He said he would like to create jobs, improve the health care system, increase infrastructure and work with the governor on the state's finances.
"It will take good leadership and management in today's economy," Ross said. "I'm up to it."
Moore lives in Elkins with his wife, Dr. Ruth Tunick, a professor at Davis & Elkins College. He graduated from Elkins High School in 1965 and spent 27 years working for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, from which he has been retired for five years. There helped draft infrastructure legislation.
During three years of his retirement, he worked with CommunityWorks in West Virginia, a non-profit organization. Moore is a part-time real estate agent for Coldwell Banker.
As a member of the House of Delegates Moore hopes to be involved with infrastructure and encouraging industry to locate to the state. Providing infrastructure - including communication, water and sewage and roads - is an important part of bringing more jobs and a better economy to West Virginia, Moore explained.
"It's a huge need here to make us competitive," Moore said. "Fiscally we're in good shape, but we need to be competitive."
This is the first time Moore has sought an elected office. He explained his employment with state government prevented him from seeking a representative position.
The four members of the committee conducted a private interview with each of the 13 candidates.
While making their decision, some members of the committee considered what may have been the wishes of Proudfoot and his family, Tallman said. He added that each candidate was asked the same questions.
"There were no gotchas, no games," Tallman said.
Questions included the legal qualifications for the job; if they anticipated running for the office again in two years; whether they would be able to take time from work to serve as a full-time legislator, during the regular and interim sessions and ensure their phones would be open to constituents; and their passion and interest for the district, rather than serving on committees such as finance and judiciary, committee members explained.
Responses from the candidates were "hit out of the park," Tallman commented.
"This was not an easy decision to make," Tallman said. "There was uniform excellence across the board."
Tallman noted candidates were passionate and articulate and he encouraged all to run for office in the future.
"This was not a vote against anybody else," Tallman said.
Prior to Tuesday's interviews, members of the committee said they had received only a few phone calls about the position and were unsure how many people to expect.
"Quite frankly I was a little bit surprised so many showed up," Stevenson said.
Susan Wilcher, field organizer for the West Virginia State Democratic Party, was also in attendance to provide the committee with state code information. The committee did more than what state code requires, according to Wilcher, adding that state code does not stipulate how the committee should select the three candidates. She also thanked them for their efforts.
According to voting forms, Tallman cast his ballots for Ross, former Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Frank Bush and Gene Ochsendorf; Malcomb submitted Ross, Moore and Campbell's names; and Phillips selected Ross, Moore and Campbell.
Other candidates for the position were, Robert Morris Jr., Kent Price, Willard Herron, Maurice G. Brown, Steve Montoney, Tom Pritt, Margaret Beckwith and Tim Wicinski.
Prior to interviews with the committee, candidates explained to The Inter-Mountain why they decided to seek the office and issues they would address in the House of Delegates.
Ochsendorf explained he was running because the position needs filled by someone who could continue the work of Proudfoot, adding education and a trained workforce would be concerns as a legislator. Education is Ochsendorf's primary concern.
Morris said he decided to participate Tuesday because he would represent a younger generation, which has taken an interest in politics. He said he has always had an ambition to run for public office. Morris explained the state economy and tourism in Pocahontas and Randolph counties are two of his interests.
Concerns for the people of Randolph County prompted Price to interview for the position. He said as a lawmaker he would address the issues brought to him by his constituents.
After two prior campaigns for the House of Delegates, Montoney said he attended the meeting because he wanted to "keep West Virginians working." He explained providing jobs would be part of his agenda as a member of the legislature.
Brown also ran for the seat to represent the 37th District during a previous election and opted to become a candidate because he enjoys and understands law. Lawsuit abuse is a concern for Brown.
Herron said he was seeking the office because of his previous experience as an elected official and as a retiree now has the time to devote to the position. Economic conditions, employment and education are three major issues Herron planned to consider in the House of Delegates.
Bush said the position would be an opportunity to be involved in public service and a chance to make a contribution. As a member of the House of Delegates Bush would work to improve West Virginia's rankings among other states by considering changing times.
Wicinski explained he decided to become a candidate because he works with many people from Pocahontas and Randolph counties and understands their concerns. Wicinski said bringing better technology to the state and making health care more accessible to the aging population would concern him as a legislator.
Helping the community and admiration for Proudfoot inspired Pritt to make himself a candidate. In general, Pritt planned to continue Proudfoot's work.
Beckwith said she decided to submit her name as a possible replacement because she is the "most obvious person to seek and fill the office." She added she was qualified candidate because she ran for the office during the primary election. Beckwith said she would serve the constituents, rather than special interest as a member of the Legislature and does not consider herself a politician.
