PARSONS – Tucker County republicans gathered at Mill Race Park Sunday for fellowship and food, and for the opportunity to hear updates from local and state-wide Republican candidates during the God, Country and Coal Rally. The event was sponsored by the Tucker County Republican Executive Committee.
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, W.Va., told those gathered Sunday it is essential to take the country back.
“It’s time for us to say that we want our values and the issues important to us back – jobs and opportunities,” Capito said. “We want our young families across the state to have the opportunities we had growing up. There is a lot of pessimism now and a lot of frustration from what we see going on from the president.”
Capito said she thinks the energy policies coming from the president are frustration to lots of folks.
“Basically what they are saying is coal no longer has a place in the energy mix,” Capito said. “We know we used to be in coal country here, and certainly our state has an abundance of that resource. The president and his supporters are saying coal no longer has a place even though West Virginia has it in abundance.”
Capito said thousands of W.Va. jobs have been lost over the last two years.
“In the last two months, 1,100 alpha minors received warn notices,” Capito said. “That notice warned them that within 60 days, there is a great possibility you will be losing your job. That is devastating to anyone in our state. It is devastating to all of us because that means not only does that family lose a job, but we lose jobs for those providing transportation – the rail industry is hit, the mom and pop shops are hit, the electricians are hit, those supplying tires are hit – it’s not just one job, but five or six jobs around that mining job that are affected.”
Capito said there is something that can be done to alleviate the problem.
“We need to change the Senate,” Capito said. “I am running for Senate to be that voice in the Senate for West Virginia.”
Capito said there is frustration with the current administration in the country whose policies picks winners and losers.
“We have been to be a loser,” Capito said. “Our state is in the bulls eye of the president and Harry Reid and we have to stop it. The best way to stop it is to change our voice in the United States Senate.”
Capito said another problem in the state is the health care system.
“It is causing people the hardship of losing their positions, premiums going up and deductibles going up,” Capito said. “The president said those who liked their health care plan could keep it. But talk to the 8,000 West Virginian who lost their health care plan because of Obama care. Talk about small businesses that are no longer finding it affordable or having to raise deductible so high, they can no longer afford to insure the folks who work for them.”
Capito said some business owners are turning back hours because of Obama care.
“Obama care tells them that a full time position is a 30 to 40 hour work week,” Capito said. “You know what, where we come from, 40 hours is a full time job. You can’t raise your family on 29 hours a week but that is what is happening. People are getting cut back to a part time economy and I bet if you hear about that happening, it is because of Obama care.”
Loss of freedoms is another issue Capito spoke to at Sunday’s gathering.
“We are freedom loving people in this state,” Capito said. “We love our personal property, we love our private data and our right to bear arms. These are under assault every day by the liberal faction that my opponent supports and that Harry Reid supports, and the president is pushing.”
Capito talked about an occasion while she was Face timing her granddaughter.
“I asked her where she was,” Capito said. “She told me she was in America – singing the words while waving her hands. She was so excited and I want that feeling back for everybody – that feeling of I am in America where we know the future is bright.”
Senator Dave Sypolt, R-Preston, stopped by the event, speaking with those in attendance.
Conrad Lucas, state chairman of the Republican Party, said it was great to be in Tucker County.
“We are four delegates away from taking the majority in the House,” Lucas said. “This would be the first time since 1928. While we are at it, let’s go ahead and take the state Senate as well.”
Tucker County Commissioner Lowell Moore encouraged those gathered Sunday to get out and vote in the November 4 election.
“We need to be concerned with the deterioration of our nation,” Moore said. “We also need to be aware of the regulations imposed on our citizens and businesses. This is a very important election. Please get out and exercise your right to vote.”
Delegate Randy Smith said he was excited to see the tide turning.
“I have been a coal miner for 35 years,” Smith said. “It excites me to see people getting involved with Shelley’s campaign and Congressman David McKinley’s campaign. There are young people helping with their campaign and it is encouraging to see young people who want to make a difference. Every senatorial and delegate district has a Republican running against a Democrat. That is exciting and how the tide is turning in West Virginia.”
Patrick Darlington is a candidate for Tucker County Commission. He told folks his focus is economic development.
“In less than one year, Corridor H is going to be into Davis,” Darlington said. “With that comes great opportunity. When that road gets here, we are less than 100 miles from the largest inland port on the East Coast. That opens doors for great economic development to this county.”
Danny Wagner is running for the W.Va. House of Delegates.
“If elected, I would work closely with Delegate Randy Smith,” Wagner said. “I appreciate your vote.”
