[West Virginia] Democratic gubernatorial primary: Salango declares victory in tight race

[alp227]

Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail

Four years after West Virginians elected a Democrat as governor, only to have him switch parties less than a year later, five Democrats vied Tuesday for a chance to take back the Governor's Office.

Late Tuesday, Ben Salango, a Charleston lawyer and Kanawha County commissioner, declared victory in a tight race with Stephen Smith, a Harvard-educated community organizer.

"I appreciate the confidence the voters showed me today," Salango said in an 11 p.m. victory address from his Charleston headquarters. "Tomorrow morning, we get to work, and we're going to win the general election."

He praised his challengers, including Smith, whom he said ran an amazing grassroots campaign.

Read more: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/politics/democratic-gubernatorial-primary-salango-declares-victory-in-tight-race/article_f68c52de-e962-56c1-aac1-7d4049c2ab17.html

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I didn't know that sports commentator Stephen A. Smith was running for governor of West Virginia...oh wait.

Ben Salango's campaign website: http://www.bensalango.com

Because Jim Justice changed parties during his governorship, the last time West Virginia elected a Republican as governor was in 1997 with Cecil Underwood, who previously served a single term from 1957-61.

[rpannier]

1. I am a little surprised just because polling was more favorable to Smith

But, Salango was backed by Sen Manchin and that's about as big an endorsement as you can get as a Democrat in West Virginia.
It makes me happy because it means my money was well spent.
I liked Smith's positions much better. But, with Manchin supporting him, I donated to Salango
To all the people on the Democratic side of the race, it was good that it remained positive; all of the candidates seem to focus on "Why it should be me." rather than, "My opponent sucks."
Now to beat the governor just-us

[Yeehah]

3. A teacher defeated the State Senate president in Jackson County

On the R side, but good to see a public school teacher defeat a charter school proponent.