At the very end of last year, reporting for the American Prospect, David Dayen explained why he thinks the West Virginia gubernatorial election is the most important race in the country, with "implications that endure the farthest into the future." Dayen wrote that the election "just might inaugurate a new kind of people-centered po
There isn't a blue congressional district in West Virginia. But if there was one, it would be WV-02, which goes from the DC exuburbs in the east-- Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan and Hampshire counties, through the middle of the state to the border with Ohio. The PVI is R+17-- a bit better than WV-01 in the north (R+19) and WV-03 in the south (R+23).
Glad you asked. As you may know, the only gubernatorial candidate endorsed by Blue America so far this cycle is dedicated populist Stephen Smith. If that name is new to you, here's the guest post he did for us a month ago. In the post he tried to shatter common misconceptions about his state.
West Virginia gubernatorial candidate Stephen Smith is a West Virginia native, lifelong organizer, and public servant. And, as of today, Blue America's first endorsed candidate for governor for the 2020 election cycle. Last year, WV Living magazine named Stephen "West Virginian of the Year" for his consistent work in fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with poor and working families as the Director of the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition. He grew up in a tight-knit West Virginia family, one that had the means to support him to attend college at Harvard University.
SCAM-ALERTElizabeth Warren was in tiny Kermit, West Virginia yesterday, where she and her message were warmly received. The media dubbed it Trump Country. Politico's story headed it like this: Trump backers applaud Warren in heart of MAGA country. And it is true that Mingo County voters went strongly for Trump in November of 2016.
Too much winning? The coal industry is back? Nope: "Coal mines are closing faster than ever... A bleak outline tonight on the coal industry. A brand new report from CNN suggests more more coal plants have closed during the first two years of the Trump administration than the first four years of the Obama administration. It's not because of regulations but because of competition with cleaner, cheaper forms of energy. Another 20 plants are expected to close this year."Tangent/reminder: In 2016 Trump slaughtered Clinton-- 68.7% to 26.5%; he beat her in every single county.
Emerson released a poll of West Virginia likely voters yesterday. The state's PVI is R+19 and Trump beat Hillary statewide 489,371 (68.5%) to 188,794 (26.4%). He crushed her in every single county-- even in the counties where Bernie had taken more votes than Trump in the primary.
We've been telling you about Vote Common Good ever since Ted Lieu and I sat down with the nascent group in a private room behind Ted's favorite restaurant. The tour started last week in Pennsylvania. Thursday it gets to Sioux City to rally with J.D. Scholten at the Grandview Park Bandshell. Saturday afternoon they'll be with Kara Eastman at Miller Park Pavilion in Omaha and a week from today... if you're in Wichita, it's James Thompson day at Farm and Art Market Plaza.
Blank Whoppers, unsavory truths and gender wildfires + this day in history w/the Bush/Obama bankster bailout bill and our song of the day by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians on your Morning Monarchy for October 3, 2018.
Costliest fighter, conflict of interest and taking documents home + this day in history w/another shooter event and our song of the day by Clutch on your Morning Monarchy for October 1, 2018.
