Published: May 10, 2008 08:35 pm         

Candidates offer options in 27th, 29th House races

Ron Thompson’s self-imposed departure from the House of Delegates has stirred the pot in the 27th District race in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Just a few miles away, the battle among Democrats in the 29th District for the three seats is a five-way race, inspiring a would-be comeback by a veteran ex-lawmaker and one newcomer eager to break into the ranks.

Thompson had never lost an election in the 27th and, in fact, placed third the last time he ran in 2006.

Soon after that year’s legislative session ended, however, the Beckley man became a repeated no-show at monthly interims meetings, and his absence soon developed into a mystery.

Then, when the 2007 session began, Thompson didn’t appear to take his oath at the outset with fellow delegates, and only did so in the final hours, but never re-appeared. Nor did he ever pick up his paycheck.

In the meantime, the House approved, then rescinded, a resolution vacating his seat, taking back the historic move upon learning the missing lawmaker was under psychiatric care.

Thompson resigned last summer, saying his treatment for bipolar two, or chronic depression, was taking longer than expected.

In stepped retired educator Louis Gall, the choice of Gov. Joe Manchin, and the Beckley man is one of 10 Democrats vying for the five nominations in Tuesday’s primary.

Fellow Democratic incumbents Virginia Mahan, who represents Summers County, and Rick Moye are on the ballot, along with two former lawmakers — Bill Wooton and Sally Susman.

Wooton and Susman are attempting political comebacks after losing in the 2006 primary to Sen. Mike Green, D-Raleigh, in a hotly contested 9th District race.

Newcomers rounding out the ballot are Mick Bates, Jack Covey and Andrew Moscarito Jr., all of Beckley; Al Martine of Daniels; and Kelley Sponaugle of Shady Spring.

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There is no shortage of Republicans, either — six, in fact, meaning one will be squeezed out when the party faithful pick candidates for the November balloting.

Leading the way for the GOP is retired school teacher Linda Sumner, the only incumbent lawmaker on the ballot, followed by a cast of largely familiar faces.

Kevin Honaker of Glen Daniel, G. Wayne Conner of Hinton, Jeffrey Pack of Beckley, Dereck Severt of Daniels and Philip Stevens of Grassy Meadows also are in the running.

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Tom Louisos, the veteran hot dog-barbecue maker in Oak Hill and longtime delegate, is eyeing a return to the House, but the odds are a little more pronounced.

In this primary, he must contend with four other Democrats — incumbents Dave Perry, John Pino and Margaret Staggers, along with William Sulesky of Scarbro, for the three slots on the November ballot.

Louisos barely lost his long-held seat two years ago in a fierce struggle with John Pino, losing by a scant four votes in a contested race that wound up in a paid-for recount.

Fayette County’s voter registration is decidedly a big edge for Democrats, but that hasn’t discouraged the Republican Party from attempting to make a race out of it this year.

In a rare display of partisan energy, the GOP has filled the ballot in the legislative contest by fielding three candidates — enough to represent the 29th.

On the ballot are Marshall Clay of Fayetteville, Steven Smith of Victor and Daniel Wright of Pax.

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com