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Here's Your Saturday Surprise: Anne Barth Running for Congress Save Email Print
Posted: 11:48 PM Jan 26, 2008
 Last Updated: 5:08 AM Jan 28, 2008
 Reporter: Scott Saxton
Email Address: scott.saxton@wsaz.com
19 comments
A | A | A

Anne Barth, who has run Senator Robert Byrd's West Virginia office for about two decades, is putting her name on the ballot as a candidate.

Barth signed up with an hour left in the filing period to run for the United States House of Representatives in the 2nd Congressional District. Barth, a Democrat, will run against Thornton Cooper and Richie Robb for the nomination. The current seatholder, Shelley Moore Capito, is a Republican.

Barth has not only run Senator Byrd's state office, but she's managed his campaigns during the last few elections. While Barth has never run for political office, some consider her a strong candidate because of her connections. With her ties to Senator Byrd, she may see some national money for her campaign.

Barth told WSAZ she resigned Saturday from her job with Senator Byrd.

In a statement released Saturday evening, Barth said she believes "America is ready for positive change, and I believe that a united Congressional delegation can help West Virginia put its best foot forward."

Barth had been courted for this run for months. However, she announced this past summer that she would not be a candidate for Congress. State Senator John Unger ran for months, but announced today on the last day to file that he is getting out of the race. Barth did not answer when our reporter asked if that influenced her last minute filing Saturday evening.
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Posted by: tim on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Why do we the people of wv elect gov., senators, and congressmen? To represent the people of wv. In some of their minds they seem to know more about what we want then we do, they must because theywent ahead and endorsed OBAMA with out the people of wv. even voting. Maybe its time to send new people to those positions, since they seem to have lost contact with the people who put them in these positions. They always say that they are there to help the people of wv., but they dont seem to listen to the people of wv. I think it is time that we give this senator and congressman a wake up call. Just for the record I am a democrat, and proud of it but not proud of my representatives.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 3, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Anything would be an improvement. Capito's days of rubberstamping the failed policies of a failed administration are over. She is proof "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". As for experience, what qualifies Capito over Barth? What experience does it take to represent your constituents? Is Capito's being a member of the obstructionists republican minority in the House to our advantage? Has her position in being part of the past republican Bush protectionists majority helped us? We've seen the largests deficits in our history under her and the republican guidance, launched an unnecessary war under her guidance, been shamed by the torture scandals sanctioned by this administration under her guidance, seen this administration go without oversight under her guidance. The list goes on and on. Do the nation a favor, boot her and her fellow republicans out.
Posted by: wv voter on Jan 31, 2008 at 09:53 AM
The fact that Barth has never held a seat in a public office before tells it all. The fact that she has learned everything from Byrd means another person like Byrd running our state, making decisions based on "west virginia". Theres a lot of skeletons in her closet that may be coming out in the future....
Posted by: Joan on Jan 29, 2008 at 05:35 PM
We need a balance of power in the state. That's the reason West Virginia is LAST in everything good and FIRST in everything bad. Look at what we have now. High unemployment. This was the case long before either of the Bush presidents, so the Dems can't get by with that everytime. Remember it was Bill Clinton -- on his way out the back door of the WH -- who gave us NAFTA and a pardon to Marc Rich. NAFTA means we can't find anything to buy made in the USA. We need to keep Capito in office for a balance of power. With the majority of Dems -- WV is getting NO WHERE fast. Capito won't vote for same sex marriage -- but I will bet ya Barth will. Just ask the folk in Ripley and Ravenswood what they remember about Marc Rich? Balance of Power. We need to replace Rockefeller as well. He isn't doing anything for West Virginia EXCEPT talk, talk, talk.
Posted by: Voter on Jan 29, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Capito is not the problem here. We do not need another Byrd to represent our state. Now that she's resigned from her current post, who is keeping the man awake?
Posted by: dave on Jan 29, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Well, by reading these posts, I hope the candidates are smarter than the voters.....
Posted by: D on Jan 29, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Ann Barth's decision to run against Shelly Moore Capito can only been seen as a positive change for WV. During the time Ann worked with Senator Byrd, she was fortunate to learn from the Senator and experience government in action at the national, state, and local levels. This experience can only help Ms. Barth work for change where change is desperately needed. Ms. Barth is an intelligent, hard working individual who has proven to be an advocate and voice for West Virginians. To say that she will win only because of her ties to the Senator is grossly unfair. Ann definitely gets my vote!! Finally, if "Anonymous" believes Senator Byrd only brings negative publicity to our state, perhaps you should consider not using the roads, schools, or medical facilities where Senator Byrd helped secure funding.
Posted by: Jim on Jan 28, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Capn Common sense.....your name sure evades you this time. The land in which the United States resides on was here, but the United States as a governing body did not exist prior to 1776.
Posted by: Captain common sense on Jan 28, 2008 at 03:17 PM
To "huuuhhh" What are you thinking? The U.S. didn't exist??? What do you think, the earth just grew the U.S. 200 years ago??? I bleed red, white, and blue...and these colors don't run!!!
Posted by: Proud liberal on Jan 28, 2008 at 02:14 PM
To Hmmmmmmm and Democrat. According to the Book of Mormon a mutual bonding between two men is considered to be a fellowship of saints. And a fetus is not really alive, besides with genetic engineering and cloning fetal matter can be obatained and preserved at the time of the abortion to be recreated at a later time if you regret your decision.
Posted by: huuuhhh on Jan 28, 2008 at 12:32 PM
God didn't mention invading Iraq. The U.S. didn't even exist then...
Posted by: Scott on Jan 28, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Well, Mr. or Mrs. "Hmmmmmm," You live in a historically Democratic state. I'll bet you anything that Hilary will win the primary here in May too. Better move to a fatter section of the Bible Belt!
Posted by: Bob on Jan 28, 2008 at 08:43 AM
She is another candidate for change who has spent twenty years working for the very institution she claims she can change. Yeah, right..... Unger was told in no uncertain terms that he needed to "reconsider" his decision to run. In exchange he will get his turn in 2012 when Mojo will by then have replaced Sen. Byrd and the Gov race will we "wide-open" (at least that is what we will be told).
Posted by: Hmmmmmmmm on Jan 27, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Yes the Bible says thou shall not kill, However, the Bible actually says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) The Hebrew word literally means “the intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice.” God often ordered the Israelites to go to war with other nations (1 Samuel 15:3; Joshua 4:13). God ordered the death penalty for numerous crimes (Exodus 21:12; 21:15; 22:19; Leviticus 20:11). So, God is not against killing in all circumstances, but rather only murder. War is never a good thing, but sometimes it is a necessary thing. In a world filled with sinful people (Romans 3:10-18), war is inevitable. Sometimes the only way to keep sinful people from doing great harm is by going to war with them.
Posted by: DEMOCRAT on Jan 27, 2008 at 10:37 PM
excuse me to the one who said Democrat-gay rights and baby killers. I have you to know that everyone in this world can choose to be a guy person or a baby killer, it has nothing to do with being a democrat. I am a democrat and i don't believe in people being gay or killing babies. I guess you think George Bush's plan is better. He believes in sending our troops over into a war and getting them killed. He believes in capitol punishment. The bible is against killing, no matter what the situation is. If you kill a baby it is a sin. If you kill someone on the street it is a sin. If you send our troops to war, when we could of prevented the war, it is a sin. GET A LIFE!!!!!!!! KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR BIG MOUTH!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 27, 2008 at 09:50 PM
The only thing Byrd has done for this state is get us more negative publicity, with his antics and pork barrel spending. If he would have been more focused on actually doing things instead of wanting his name on everything we would be alot better off. So if she learned from Byrd my vote is defineately NO!
Posted by: Steven on Jan 27, 2008 at 05:57 PM
She is what the 2nd Congressional District needs--a Democrat. Shelley Moore Capito has had her time in there and it is time for her to go. She will get my vote just because she has worked with Senator Byrd. Byrd has done great things for this state and I am going to be sad when he does pass as this state will never again receive the funds/support it gets now. GO ANNE GO!!!
Posted by: Hmmmmm on Jan 27, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Democrat= Gay Rights and Baby Killers. I don't think so!!! You won't get any votes from my house.
Posted by: Sue on Jan 27, 2008 at 03:36 PM
I agree we need positive change but not from Robert Byrd Part 2. We need NEW BLOOD in. She is only considered a strong canidate because of her connections. Oh please. She will run to Byrd for what to do on everything. What is going on here is that Byrd is incapacitated so he is trying to stay in office by having his secretary run. This should not be tolerated. If we can get out from underneath Byrd, this state just might attract industry and move forward into the 21st century.
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