The Dominion Post endorses Bob Beach, Cindy Frich, Barbara Fleischauer and Alex Shook for the 44th District House of Delegates. We believe this delegation's diverse make-up reflects the divergent politics and interests of this region.
Veteran legislator Beach will soon mark a decade of service to our region and in that time has been rewarded with a number of committee positions, including chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
Beach mirrors the conservatism of the majority of West Virginia's Democratic Party, and as a rule proceeds with caution on any legislation he casts his vote on or reviews in committee. He has been a tireless champion of the PROMISE scholarship program and of higher education, especially WVU.
Though we applaud his service and efforts to direct state tax dollars to his district, our hope is that in the next term he will more readily flex the muscles of influence that accompany his veteran status to more effectively serve.
Frich, a two-term Republican delegate, also reflects the conservative strains of our state's politics. She is readily known for doing her homework and gathering data to augment her extensive knowledge of the issues in Charleston and at home. However, what really distinguishes her is her tenacity.
She invariably stays on course as a minority voice despite criticism and fights the fight even when she's already beaten, as demonstrated in a special legislative session on the sales tax on food in September 2005. At that time she tirelessly challenged the governor, who is empowered to set the agenda, and the legislative leadership on preventing all efforts to amend that legislation.
Frich has also been in the forefront of enacting state legislation to restrict the government's ability to use its power of eminent domain.
Former legislator Fleischauer appears ready to return Charleston. She has emerged in this election with new points of interest and during her a two-year hiatus from political office, she worked to increase participation in the Earned Income Tax Credit program to ensure that those eligible received the funds they deserved. Fleischauer, who served in the House of Delegates for 10 years before losing her bid for a sixth term in 2004, appears re-energized. Her focus reflects the needs of this region whether it be regarding infrastructure issues or social service matters.
Although she represents the more liberal side of Democratic Party politics, Fleischauer has a dim view of efforts to simply throw money at problems and she disdains government waste.
And finally, we are impressed with political newcomer Shook. More than just a fresh face, he has sound ideas on improving the quality of life for the district and he is well schooled in the art of debate, an asset for a legislator. The Democrat has set his goals high, making it clear he won't be satisfied to just go to Charleston to simply become just one of the 100 votes in the House of Delegates.
Instead, he has declared his intention to ascend to a position of leadership where he can make a difference. We think this newcomer, within a reasonable period of time, has the ability to do just that.
We believe this delegation will represent us well in Charleston. Although we have no preconceived notions they will always vote as we would like, we believe they will best represent our district's interests.
And at the end of the day will, above all, find a way to unite in the interest of all their constituents.