CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - On the debate stage together for the first - and likely only - time before the May 10 primary, three Democrats running for West Virginia governor showed wrinkles in a party that’s combatting its state’s recent sharp turn to the political right.
Billionaire businessman Jim Justice, who has passed on previous forums, spoke almost solely in broad strokes Saturday, but beckoned voters to trust his judgment as a job creator.
The coal magnate said he won’t give up on the state’s iconic fossil fuel industry, and wouldn’t talk about whether he believes in mankind’s contribution to climate change, particularly through burning coal for power.
To Justice’s left on stage, and politically, West Virginia Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler called himself a Democrat “by conviction, not convenience.” He called for a tobacco tax increase to help refuel a cash-strapped state experiencing a budget crisis due to the downfall of the coal industry and low natural gas prices. He said coal will never be dominant again, and said he doesn’t deny man’s impact on global warming.
Former U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin often staked his position as a moderate Democrat, calling for a retraining of unemployed coal miners and a push to put them to work on infrastructure projects. He said he’s not qualified to speak against the reams of scientific research on global warming.
“We can put (miners) to work immediately rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our public buildings in our community as a whole,” Goodwin said.
The state Democratic Party’s debate Saturday highlights a critical political crossroads for the conservative state, where an invigorated Republican Party has cleared the field for Senate President Bill Cole. Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is hitting his two-consecutive term limit.
By tying Democrats to President Barack Obama, a deeply unpopular figure in the state, the GOP overturned more than eight decades of Democratic rule in the Legislature after the 2014 election. Aside from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, Republicans fill every West Virginia seat in Congress.
Justice used folksy colloquialisms - he compared the pain facing West Virginians to his pain from a recent big toe surgery - to highlight his business record, including buying and reviving The Greenbrier resort. He touted the PGA Tour golf event and NFL training camp for the New Orleans Saints at the resort, and predicted that one of his golf courses may host a U.S. Open.
“I promise you this, if I’m your governor, I’ll take you on a rocket jobs ride you’ll never believe,” Justice said. “Buckle up, here we go.”
Goodwin criticized Justice for pursuing millions of dollars in tax credits for projects at The Greenbrier, and accepting millions more in state sponsorships for the resort’s PGA Tour event. Justice tried to bat away the attack.
“I’ve spent $300 million in trying to save the jewel of the Nile of our state at The Greenbrier, and I’m daggum proud of it,” Justice said.
Kessler focused on his extensive state legislative experience and his views that taxes need to be raised to support infrastructure, offer free or reduced community college and address other needs.
“I don’t believe that we can cut our way to prosperity. I intend to invest in people and invest in infrastructure, and that’s how we will move our state forward,” Kessler said.
Goodwin said a full review of state government is necessary before raising taxes. Justice said the focus should be on bringing in new jobs instead of hiking taxes.
Justice, a coal and agriculture magnate, also responded to criticisms about how his companies haven’t paid some taxes, bills and mine safety fines. He said his companies haven’t taken the easy way out by declaring bankruptcy, and he promised to fulfill all of his obligations.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.