WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Election day is only one week away and one of the local races is for sheriff of Wayne County. Five democrats and one republican are running for the office.
Wayne County Mayor James Ramey Jr. the third is campaigning for a new office, hoping to gain votes for the sheriff's race.
Junior Ramey’s candidacy has a lot of people talking about his felony conviction 21 years ago, according to federal documents, Ramey pleaded guilty to tax evasion. The guilty plea means if he wins the sheriff's race he can't carry a concealed weapon. Ramey says he wouldn't carry a weapon anyway, since being sheriff is an administrative position.
“People in Wayne know that I cheated on my taxes for $3,500,” Ramey said. “I’m sure I’m not the only one in West Virginia who cheated on their taxes.
Ramey says he wants to tackle the drug problem and have more deputies outside the town of Wayne.
Former state trooper Greg Farley says his law enforcement experience can only help the county.
“I have a strong educational initiative,” Farley said, “community policing is important that's how we solve crimes.”
No other candidates could be reached. Rex Sowards wife says he wants to clean up the drug problem in the county. Tom McBride and Hank Blum were not available for comments.
The republican candidate is Gordon Ramey II. He is not campaigning in the primary since he's unopposed, but says he will campaign for the general election.