From Phil Hudok
Letter to Editor,
September 17, 2016, Charleston Gazette-Mail Staff writer Phil Kabler’s Headline read “Statehouse Beat: Wells decision is a head-scratcher.” The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decision upheld that Erik Wells (husband of then Secretary of State, Natalie Tennant) should not be allowed to run for Kanawha County Clerk as a non-affiliated independent candidate while still registered as a Democrat. The head-scratcher was the disqualification of the Constitution Party’s candidates as well as other independent candidates. Because there was no relevancy between the Erik Wells case and the expanded disqualifications, Federal Court in Huntington restored the Constitution Party and independents to the ballot.
Now, August 3, 2018, Charles Town Spirit of Jefferson writer Tim Cook’s Headline reads “Despite GOP primary loss, David Tabb will vie for JCC (Jefferson County Commission) position.” Mr. Tabb who lost in the Republican Primary, has registered Mountain Party, seeking their nomination. The Mountain and Libertarian Parties are not subject to the “sore loser” law.
State motto could be “Mountaineer Established Parties are Always Free.” Don’t expect legislation disallowing an elected governor to change party. That would involve establishment Party A and establishment Party B. But who needs legislation? When needed, the establishment can apply convoluted logic as in 2016. Sometimes Justice or justice, is just us.
Phil Hudok – Vice Chair Constitution Party of West Virginia
Huttonsville, W.Va.