This year's test concluded July 26 and the results were posted Tuesday on Project Vote Smart's Web site, www.votesmart.org, and are available at (888) VOTE SMART (868-3762). The NPAT is designed to let voters know if the candidates are willing to reveal their positions on issues they will have to deal with on the public's behalf if elected.
NPAT asks one principal question of candidates: Are you willing to make a good faith effort to provide citizens with your inclinations on issues you will face on voters' behalf if elected? Candidates who answer yes, are then asked to display their willingness by answering questions on issues.
Sadly enough, the latest NPAT results indicate that most candidates who wish to represent us are not willing to stake out their positions.
Of the 29 candidates running in legislative and congressional races in our circle of influence, only 14 took the NPAT, including six incumbents.
That outcome parallels the outcome of NPAT statewide, too: About 47 percent of candidates did respond.
In this area's two congressional races, we are glad to report in the U.S. Senate race, both candidates, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and his Republican challenger, John Raese, did respond. However, Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., continues to snub NPAT, as did his Republican challenger Delegate Chris Wakim, R-Ohio.
In our area's three state Senate districts two of five candidates also responded, Sen. Michael Oliverio, D-Monongalia, who's running unopposed, and Wayne Weber, the GOP challenger, in the Senate's 2nd District.
Parts of our region are comprised of six House of Delegates districts. Twenty candidates are competing for 11 House seats in those districts. Of those 20,10 took the NPAT. Four of which are incumbents, three Republicans and one Democrat, including, delegates Jeffrey Tansill, R-Taylor; Cindy Frich, R-Monongalia; David Pethel, D-Wetzel; and Debbie Stevens, R-Tucker.
Six challengers also took NPAT — three Democrats and three Republicans. They are Michael N. Manypenny, a Democratic challenger in the 42nd District; Rick R. Starn, a Republican challenger in the 43rd District; George D. Johnson and James I. Manilla, both Republican challengers in the 44th District, and Alex Shook, a Democratic challenger in the 44th District; and Stanley E. Shaver, a Democratic challenger in the 46th District.
We applaud these candidates we have named here for having the courage and conviction to put what they think in writing. As for those who did not respond to NPAT their names, like their positions on the issues, will also not appear in writing here today.