Bowman to retire; 2 more to challenge Mollohan

by: WV26003

Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:33:25 AM EST

In a very surprising announcement, four-term State Senator Ed Bowman (D-Hancock Co.) stated that he would not seek re-electioin in 2010. Senator Bowman is the longest serving State Senator in the 1st District's history.

In an interview with the Wheeling Un-Intelligencer, Bowman said:

I want to thank all the people from my community who gave me the privilege and honor to serve them...  never lost sight of the fact that I'm here at their will.

My decision is for one reason and one reason only: I didn't like being away from my family.

The reason Bowman's retirement is such a surprise is that everyone knew he would be easily re-elected in 2010. Senator Bowman is quite popular in the Northern Panhandle and his only real criticism has been his connections with Mountaineer Casino. It was such a surprise, in fact, that no one had yet filed to challenge him in 2010. (Personal hunch: Bowman intentionally waited until after all 6 House of Delegates incumbents in the 1st district officially filed before announcing.) That means this open seat will be very open. He provided no hints as to whom might be into running for the seat. For the sense of pure speculation (and without any evidence or authority to do so), I would keep my eyes on former Ohio County Sheriff Tom Burgoyne and former WV Senate candidate/Wheeling attorney Shane Mallett. I have no idea of who from Hancock County might be considering a run.

UPDATE: After the posting of this diary entry, two-term Democratic Delegate Orphy Klempa (Ohio Co.) announced he would instead seek Senator Bowman's office. I was quite "O-K with Klempa in the House", and I will be even more "O-K" with Klempa in the Senate. Orphy is a very good guy with record that is, in most cases, more progressive than Senator Bowman.

A little background on Orphy Klempa --- he works with the local carpenters and other trade unions, he is co-chair of Project BEST and on the board of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. He was elected to the House in the 2006 "Democratic sweep" of Ohio County when both Republican incumbents were handily defeated. Check out some of Orphy's past and present sponsorship of House bills, and you will see why else I'm a fan.

That results in 8 GOP candidates for the primary. This should be very interesting as one can be sure that the "tea party" types won't like the eventual nominee and ultimately help to ensure Mollohan's re-election.

The Wheeling Un-Intelligencer, however, didn't hesitate to use the candidacy announcements as an opportunity to take a whack at Congressman Mollohan:

Political insiders had speculated that Democratic leadership was pushing Mollohan, 66, toward retirement amid rumors of a federal investigation into his finances and subsequent problems with raising funds for this year's election.

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled corporations have unlimited ability to make political contributions, how much money do you think the Nuttings/Raeses/Blankenships of our State will throw into this race? I shudder to think.