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US Congress, Third District, May 2010 Primary

Candidates for U S House of Representatives, 3rd Congressional District

May 11, 2010 Primary Election

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Bruce Barilla

COUNTY Greenbrier

PARTY Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

B.S. Business Education. University of Illinois. Employed at The Greenbrier. America’s Christian Heritage Week (nationwide promoter) http://www.achw.org/ Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia (statewide promoter) http://www.achw.org/html/chwinwv.html

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Climate change is the new name for global warming, which has been proven to be a scam. To address this issue we need the truth. If I may make a joke; I wish I hadn’t listened to Al Gore and sold my snow shovel before this past winter.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Less spending. Any balanced budget amendment proposal must have a no new taxes provision. Simply put, “In God We Trust, everyone else pays cash.”

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Lee A. Bias

COUNTY Cabell

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

I am a lifelong resident of West Virginia. I have worked in this area as an EMT, a Paramedic, an ICU Nurse, a Critical Care Ground Transport Nurse, a Fixed Wing Flight Nurse, and now I work as a Certified Nurse Anesthetist. I have my Bachelors and Masters Degree from (exceeded word limit)

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Climate change has been a very controversial issue recently. I believe that we should be good stewards of our environment, but that the alarmist views of “Climate Change” may be over exaggerated. Evidence clearly indicates that our environment is cyclical. We need to approach our environment with respect and responsibility.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Deficit spending must be stopped now. We must begin paying off our national debt. This is no different than what families and businesses must do to survive. We must prioritize the needs of our nation. When our country restores fiscal sanity, we will be a stronger nation.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Marty Gearheart

COUNTY Mercer

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Bluefield High, B.S. in Education Concord University, Managing Member Gearheart Enterprises, Former V.P. Sales/Marketing Acken Signs., Former President Sales Executive Club, Former Chair Mercer Republicans, Member West Virginia Republican Executive Committee, Trustee chair, Bland St. United Methodist Church, Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, Director Community Foundation Virginias.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

No action required. I believe that climate is a natural occurrence and is not due to actions taken by man. The suggested legislation passed by the House (Cap and Trade) has nothing to do with the climate or emissions rather it is about government control and additional taxation.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Extensive spending cuts and evaluation of government programs, eliminating those that don’t produce as intended. More importantly cut taxes! Cutting taxes stimulates the economy and generates more revenue to the treasury. This combination will bring the budget into balance over time. I do advocate an annual balanced budget.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Conrad G. Lucas II

COUNTY Cabell

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

I was born in Huntington and raised Lincoln and Morgan Counties. My parents are educators and my grandfathers were coal miners turned entrepreneurs. I served on Shelley Capito’s staff, and later for a law firm in Huntington and a university in Beckley. I hold degrees from Vanderbilt, Harvard and Tulane.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Claims regarding climate change are greatly overstated by the anti-coal and anti-mining communities. We must continue to support the mining of West Virginia coal to provide for West Virginia families, while looking to develop clean coal technology for the future. Important policy decisions shouldn’t be based on junk science.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Irresponsible spending in Washington must be stopped. To balance the budget, it is imperative that social programs be cut. The Constitution prescribes the federal government’s role as highly limited and the budget should reflect that view. Congress must operate under the guidelines set by the framers when establishing the budget.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Elliott E. “Spike” Maynard

COUNTY Mingo

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Elliott “Spike” Maynard: born in Williamson, WV; served in the United States Air; Managing Director of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce; twice elected Prosecuting Attorney of Mingo County; appointed trial Judge of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit; elected to a twelve-year term on the state Supreme Court.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

With Climategate, it is clear that much misinformation, outright fraud and junk science was used to create an issue. We should not make critical policy decisions that cost jobs, dramatically increase electric power bills and raise taxes based on bogus science. Cap and trade would devastate WV.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Generally, The same things you do to balance your household budget. Stop huge obscene spending. No more Bailouts. Reduce size (and cost) of government. Give tax cuts to small businesses who are huge job creators. Repeal the budget busting Healthcare takeover bill Congress just passed. Use basic economic common sense.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Nick J. Rahall II

COUNTY Raleigh

PARTY Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

First elected to the Congress in 1976 representing the people of southern West Virginia. Currently serving as the Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

America must create and deploy new technologies enabling the continued use of affordable coal and other fossil fuels, while broadening our energy sources. Foreign countries must be required to reduce their own emissions, which would prevent manufacturers from relocating overseas and create a market for American-made low-emission technologies.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Eliminate government waste, fraud, and abuse. Preserve investment in proven government initiatives that expand the economic base, create jobs, and generate revenue for the Treasury.

US Congress, Second District, May 2010 Primary

Candidates for U S House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District

May 11, 2010 Primary Election

CANDIDATE NAME Shelley Moore Capito

COUNTY Kanawha

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Member, U.S. Congress serving on the House Transportation & Infrastructure and Financial Services Committees. Ranking Member, House Select Committee on Independence and Global Warming. Founding Member, Congressional Coal Caucus. Former Member, West Virginia House of Delegates. Former Career Counselor, West Virginia State University. Graduate, Duke University and University of Virginia

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

My “all the above” energy plan focuses on using existing energy sources like coal and natural gas at the same time that we invest in alternative energy and clean coal technology. I support lifting the current ban on offshore drilling and investing a portion of the revenues in alternative energy.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

West Virginians want leaders in Washington who will listen to their concerns and focus on the issue that matters most: improving the economy and reducing spending. They’re tired of seeing unemployment get worse while taxpayer dollars went to bank bailouts and failed “stimulus” plans.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

2nd Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Virginia Lynch Graf

COUNTY Jefferson

PARTY Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

My experiences as innovator, educator and activist enable me to legislate intelligently, creatively and fairly. A democratic republic succeeds when elected officials work towards the common good. Discipline required for a doctorate in ministry taught me not only research techniques, but skills for transforming ecumenical, theological and pastoral studies into practical applications.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Learning to use critical thinking skills is necessary to address climate change. Many citizens are unable to distinguish between punditry and research. Such indistinction, recognized by corporations invested in fossil fuels, led to a campaign of misinformation across America. Doubts about the reality of climate change has succeeded even among Congressional members.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

The federal budget, rarely balanced, could achieve deficit reduction by: re-establishing the estate tax for estates valued over $350,000,000 to return some fortune to the society which enabled its success; ending the 10 year wars costing over $3 trillion; discontinuing subsidies to countries and companies harming American well being.

US Congress, First District, May 2010 Primary

Candidates for U S House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District

May 11, 2010 Primary Election

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Cindy Hall

COUNTY Ohio

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Qualifications for the office of US Congress, come in different forms. As a 30 year business owner, involved in community revitalization, mediation, business growth, leadership, and Tea Party participation, I have no commitment to special interest groups or unions, whose political philosophy is in opposition to my conservative values.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Climate change is in debate. It appears that some misinformation have been presented which puts a cloud on the debate. Clean air, water, and landfill are important topics and should be addressed, but not under the Obama agenda, which is primarily for control and power.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

To balance the federal budget is to reduce the size of government, eliminate agencies and departments, whose responsibility could be handled by state government.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Patricia VanGilder Levenson

COUNTY Ohio

PARTY Republican

Candidate did not reply

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME David B. McKinley

COUNTY Ohio

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

David McKinley is a small businessman from Wheeling. After spending twelve years supporting his family with three jobs, he started his own company – McKinley & Associates. He has since developed this one man operation into a successful company, which is considered one of the top architectural and engineering firms in (exceeded word limit)

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

We need to stop the war on coal in West Virginia. The Obama / Pelosi / Mollohan agenda of reducing the amount of coal we produce and use in the United States not only exports our jobs to foreign countries like China, but it also exports pollution because those counties (exceeded word limit)

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

First of all, we have to stop the spending. Earmarks should be eliminated and foreign aid reduced. We also need to rein in the millions of dollars in duplication that occurs between bureaucracies. A Republican-controlled Congress balanced the budget from 1998 until 2001 – we can do it again.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Sarah Minear

COUNTY Monongalia

PARTY Republican

Candidate did not reply

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Alan B. Mollohan

COUNTY Marion

PARTY Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Alan B. Mollohan was born in Fairmont and has represented the First District for 28 years. His top priority is economic development. He works to defend the area’s traditional industries against unfair attacks and also to diversify its base through high-tech, aerospace, tourism and government-service activities.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Coal generates half of our electricity today, and coal will generate half – or more – of our electricity 30 years from now. I will continue to bring federal dollars to West Virginia for research into carbon capture and sequestration that will guarantee a future for our coal industry.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

The health care bill will rein in the cost of health care and actually reduce the deficit by more than $100 billion over the next decade. We also need to return to the balanced fiscal policies President Clinton adopted that left the federal budget in surplus and promoted economic growth.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Mike Oliverio

COUNTY Monongalia

PARTY Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

The grandson of Italian immigrants, Mike Oliverio has put himself through undergraduate and graduate school at WVU, where he became student body president. He achieved the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served two years in the West Virginia House of Delegates and 16 in the Senate.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

I believe we must seek sensible legislation that gradually reduces emissions. But we must make absolutely certain that the regulations coming from this lawmaking will not seriously wound our core extraction industries. Cap and trade, for example, is not good for coal and, therefore, not good for West Virginia.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

The answer is not so much an action as it is a mindset that needs to change. Washington has got to curtail spending now. The Bush Administration and Congress lost sight of the PAYGO (Pay-As-You-Go) rule that served as a check and balance regarding the use of federal dollars.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Thomas Stark

COUNTY Wood

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Christian; businessman, 62; wife, Mary; five children, eight grandchildren; Resident – WV almost 13 years, produces custom millwork, furniture, and custom decorated apparel. Vietnam veteran. Bachelors – Barry University, short 7 credits for Masters in Organizational Management. 27 years in management and security operations including 15 with local government in FL.

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

Global temperature changes are cyclical events tied far more conclusively to solar radiation fluctuations than they have been to human activity. It is more important to expand domestic energy supplies to provide greater security for our country than to force higher energy costs on our citizens based on unproven science.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

Our Constitution permits government to do only those specified things listed in it. Eliminate all departments/functions not required to do those things to balance the budget. Federal =highly limited; States = nearly unlimited; People = limited only by state laws & Constitution. Government shouldn’t be a nanny or control everything.

OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

CANDIDATE NAME Mac Warner

COUNTY Monongalia

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Mac attended West Point military academy. He graduated in 1977, and was commissioned as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army. In 1979, Mac was one of 25 officers selected to attend law school for the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He returned to the College of Law to obtain his (Exceeded word limit)

QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?

ANSWER

We must find a way to balance People, Planet and Profits. Cap and trade legislation, as an example, is based on unproven science, and Congress should place a moratorium on further legislation until there is an open debate and general consensus reached on the legitimacy of the underlying science.

QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?

ANSWER

We have to stop the out-of-control wasteful government spending and use a budget just like families in West Virginia do. We must encourage entrepreneurship and the growth of small businesses. The way to do that is not by increasing taxes, but by doing just the opposite – we must cut taxes. (Exceeded word limit)

WV Supreme Court May 2010 Primary

Candidates for Justice of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals

May 11, 2010 Primary Election

OFFICE Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals

CANDIDATE NAME Thomas E. McHugh

COUNTY Kanawha

PARTY Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Thomas E. McHugh has been a Justice for seventeen years and a Circuit Judge for six years. He was born in Charleston, is a graduate of WVU (AB and Law) and was in the US Army. He is married and has four children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

QUESTION 1. What standards regarding recusal would you recommend to avoid the appearance of judicial conflict of interest?

ANSWER

Our West Virginia recusal language is clear, and I strictly follow it. The recusal issue has heightened national interest. The ABA’s Standing Committee on Judicial Independence is working on revisions to its Judicial Disqualification Project as part of the Model Code of Judicial Conduct. The Conference of Chief Justices has no official position on the report.

QUESTION 2. How would you respond to the allegations that West Virginia has a judicial climate that is hostile to business?

ANSWER

No judge should be concerned about whether or not any ruling is good for any one interest. A judge must be fair and impartial to all. People who are interested in fairness in our courts don’t want judges who color their rulings for any particular group. A judicial climate should not be hostile to anyone.

OFFICE Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals

CANDIDATE NAME John Yoder

COUNTY Jefferson

PARTY Republican

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Thirty-five years legal experience in all three branches of government. Five years as a circuit judge and two years working for the Chief Justice of the U.S; eight years as a WV State Senator; three years as Reagan appointee in the U.S. Department of Justice. BA, MBA, and JD degrees.

QUESTION 1. What standards regarding recusal would you recommend to avoid the appearance of judicial conflict of interest?

ANSWER

Stricter recusal standards are needed when lawyers and litigants give money to the campaigns of judges and justices. A panel of retired judges should be appointed by Supreme Court justices to decide whether justices should be recused from sitting on a case, rather than letting each individual justice decide.

QUESTION 2. How would you respond to the allegations that West Virginia has a judicial climate that is hostile to business?

ANSWER

Allegations that the climate is hostile to business need to be taken seriously because that perception is causing our State to lose jobs and businesses. We need to positively change our Court’s image rather than defending the status quo and ingrained Charleston political class that is now in charge.