Election 2004 Update

Governor-Elect Manchin Shows Commitment to the Disability Community

Just hours following the November 2nd election, Governor-Elect Joe Manchin III announced key members of his transition team with campaign manager Larry Puccio named as chairman of the Transition Team.

Following his campaign promise "I'm committed", the Governor-Elect announced a transition process that will focus on ways to reorganize and improve efficiencies in state government. The transition process has three main committees:

A team of lawyers to serve as advisors throughout the transition process called the Legal Counsel Committee.
A steering committee that will focus on staffing issues.
A policy committee that will focus on five major areas including a sub-committee on people with disabilities.

Governor-Elect Joe Manchin III demonstrated his interest and desire to be a friend to the disability community by inviting people with disabilities to serve on this policy subcommittee. The goal of the policy team meetings is to provide the Governor-Elect with information on relevant issues that will assist him in his administration.

Mountain State Centers for Independent Living's Kevin Maynus, was selected to serve on the Governor-Elect's policy subcommittee on disabilities. Kevin, MTSTCIL'S lead advocate for more than seven years, regularly attends the WV Legislative sessions to work with legislators to monitor legislation that impacts people with disabilities. In 2002 Kevin was instrumental in accessible signage being placed in the state capitol. He also advocated for assistive technology at the state capitol that resulted in the house and senate journals, bills, budget information, etc. being available in alternate format.

The first meeting of the Governor-elect's commitee was held on November 30. A group of 13 individuals met to discuss policy questions posed by the Governor-elect.

Manchin is interested in acquiring statistical data on people with disabilities, services available, services not currently available, statistics related to inherited and acquired disabilities, how West Virginia compares nationwide and related data. Manchin is also interested in preventing injuries that lead to permanent disabilities as well as the needs of children with disabilities.

Mountain State Centers for Independent living is pleased to have a voice on this very important committee and looks forward to assisting Manchin in order to make positive change for our community.

Election Results

Joe Manchin III of Fairmont was victorious and became the 34th Governor of West Virginia. Governor-Elect Manchin will be inaugurated in Charleston on January 17, 2005.

Betty Ireland of Charleston became the first woman to be elected Secretary of State. Mrs. Ireland defeated 90 year old Ken Hechler, former WV Secretary of State who had served 18 years in Congress.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass, Treasurer John Perdue and Auditor Glen Gainer were re-elected to their respective offices.

Charleston lawyer, Brent Benjamin defeated incumbent Justice Warren McGraw to become the state's first non-incumbent Republican to win a state Supreme Court seat since the 1920's.

All three of our state's representatives will be returning to their seats in the US House. Representatives Allan Mollohan, Nick J. Rahall III, and Sally Moore Capito were re-elected to new two year terms.