The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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Election Central

November 8, 2006

Sprouse sees ‘almost a victory’

Mannix Porterfield

Senate Republican Leader Vic Sprouse watched his party surrender two of its 13 seats, but given the national trend in the Democrats’ favor and Sen. Robert C. Byrd’s long coattails, the veteran lawmaker doesn’t think his team fared all that poorly.

“To me, it’s almost a victory,” Sprouse said in Wednesday’s aftermath of the election.

“It wasn’t that bad. It could have been much worse.”

Republicans failed to retain the seat vacated by Sen. Steve Harrison of Kanawha, and saw first-term Sen. Russ Weeks, R-Raleigh, go down in the 9th District to the megabucks campaign of newcomer Mike Green.

“It was just a national sweep,” Sprouse said. “It was one of those years you hold on to as many as you can. We’re looking forward to 2008.”

Another area of disappointment was the GOP’s razor-thin failure to unseat Sen. Randy White, D-Webster, who overcame a Charleston television’s revelation about photographs of him and other men in the nude, decorated in body paint. White edged out Harold “Pete” Sigler in the 11th District contest.

“We came so close to beating Randy White,” Sprouse said.

“It was one of those years that if you’re a Republican and not on the ballot, you’re wiping your forehead and saying, ‘thank goodness, it wasn’t me.’”

There were some bright spots, and Sprouse suggested the most glaring one was Sen. Jesse Guills’ ability to decision Democratic challenger Fred Parker in the 10th District.

“Parker came within 4 points, which says to me, that in a good year, that would never happen, that he wouldn’t have come within 15 or 20 points of Jesse,” Sprouse said.

The Senate leader attributed much of the Republican setback to the national trend.

“I think the national mood had a huge effect on these races,” he said.

“You lose 30 House seats and you lose six Senate seats, you’re barely going to survive on the state level as well. That’s what we did. We only lose two senators in this election.”

Besides Guills, the Republicans celebrated victories by Dave Sypolt over Craig Rotruck in the 14th District and Delegate Mike Hall over Charleston attorney and former gubernatorial hopeful Jim Lees in the 4th.

“But it was disappointing we didn’t have Russ win,” Sprouse said. “He was a great advocate for Raleigh and Wyoming counties. I think Byrd certainly helped Green in Wyoming and Raleigh counties. You catch a year like this and there’s very little you can do to stop that sort of bleeding.”

Sprouse said Green’s final document will reveal spending in excess of $300,000, overwhelming the money Weeks shelled out.

“In a good year, Russ ekes out a win in that race,” he said.

“But as good as Russ is, it’s hard to get outspent 15-to-1 and win in one of the worst years in history for Republican candidates. That’s just not going to happen. There are too many storms working against you. You’re not going to overcome that huge amount of money. If Russ wins, he needs to be coronated.”

Will Sprouse seek a return himself?

“I’m starting toward that end,” he said. “I’m starting to raise money.”

His role as GOP leader, however, is nearing its end, with an announcement a week ago that he wouldn’t hold those reins, but likely turn them over to Sen. Don Caruth, R-Mercer.

“But I’m clearly going to be engaged in trying to win races in 2008,” he added.

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