The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 7, 2012

Hall wins mild-mannered race for 9th Senatorial District seat

By Mannix Porterfield Register-Herald Reporter

It began and ended as a gentlemen’s agreement to keep the battle on the high ground, devoid of personal attacks, in the race for state Senate in the 9th District.

When the dust settled Tuesday, Delegate Daniel Hall, the Democrat, stood in the winner’s circle, easily holding off Epp Cline, a retired school teacher.

“I carried Wyoming County, so I guess that’s the consolation prize,” Cline quipped.

In fact, he pointed out, he became only the third Republican to carry Wyoming in a county-wide race since President Herbert Hoover’s administration.

Hall, a claims adjuster for Nationwide Insurance, and Cline, both live in the same Wyoming County town of Oceana, and by a mutual understanding, agreed to keep their race on the high road for the two-county district.

“I’m very appreciative of the victory,” Hall said as the final votes came in. “And I thank the people of the district.”

Less than a week before the votes were counted, the two men chatted by telephone and agreed to keep the pledge right up to the last day of campaigning.

Cline is a retired history instructor in the Wyoming County education system and ran on a platform of traditional Republican values.

Months earlier, in the Democratic primary, the 9th District became a battleground and volleys were fired with abandon by incumbent Sen. Richard Browning and the challenger Hall, who had won two terms in the House of Delegates.

Raleigh County, the other part of the district, is represented by Sen. Mike Green, a fellow Democrat, who appeared in television ads with Hall, further evidence of unrest within the Senate leadership.

Green was stripped of a leadership role as chairman of the Energy, Industry and Mining Committee after he unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Jeffrey Kessler, D-Marshall, for the Senate presidency and criticized Browning for not supporting him. Browning was Kessler’s majority whip.

“I can work with Mike Green,” Hall said. “We’ll be a good team and work for the people of this district.”

Cline suggested that Hall’s work will be cut out for him, saying President Barack Obama’s re-election will make things tougher for him because of the president’s anti-coal agenda that will force more curtailment in the industry, thus depriving West Virginia’s coffers of more operating capital.

 “I’m disappointed I didn’t win,” Cline said, “but I’m more disappointed that Barack Obama got elected president.”

Text Only
Local News
  • Raleigh grand jury hands down 89 indictments

    The mother and stepfather accused in the death of a 2-year-old boy were among the 89 indictments handed down by the Raleigh County Grand Jury.
    Brandy Smallwood, 28, and James Green, 24, both of Fairdale, were charged Feb. 10 in connection with the death of 2-year-old Graydon Morgan.
    Green was indicted for first degree murder, death of a child by child abuse, child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, child neglect resulting in death and child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury.
    The indictment against Smallwood if for death of a child by child abuse, child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, child neglect resulting in death and child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury.

    May 23, 2013

  • Memorial Day ceremonies planned in Fayetteville

    For those looking to spend their Memorial Day weekend taking part in a traditional graveside ceremony, Fayetteville offers two — a candlelight vigil and a groundbreaking for a new veterans’ memorial.

    May 23, 2013

  • Deputy lawsuit settlement reached

    A civil rights lawsuit alleging that a former Greenbrier County sheriff’s deputy had sex with a 16-year-old while “on duty” has been settled for $100,000 and dismissed with prejudice by U.S. District Court Judge Irene Berger.

    May 23, 2013

  • Lewisburg stands against power station purchase

    Local officials waded into the controversy over Monongahela Power’s proposed purchase of the Harrison Power Station on Tuesday, as Lewisburg City Council approved a resolution opposing the transaction.

    May 23, 2013

  • BPD bloodhound and Kohls team-up for kids safety event

    Friday will be a big day for Artie, Beckley Police Department’s tracking bloodhound, and kids who stop by Kohl’s Department Store.

    May 23, 2013

  • Murder trial to begin this August

    A trial for a man accused of murdering a family of four last May has been set for Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. before Nicholas County Circuit Court Judge Gary Johnson.

    May 23, 2013

  • 052313 News Recylcing Awards 2.jpg Raleigh schools recycle almost 400 tons this year

    Raleigh County schools have taken home $12,065.63 by recycling 391.9 tons during the school year that is just ending.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Police Department to conduct DUI checkpoint

    The Beckley Police Department will conduct a DUI Sobriety Checkpoint from 9 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday on Pinewood Drive. An alternate location will be U.S. 19. The checkpoint will be supported by roving DUI Enforcement Patrols throughout the evening and night time hours.

    May 23, 2013

  • Rt. 19 traffic held up by ‘bottomed out’ trailer

    A “bottomed out” tractor-trailer along U.S. 19 at Glen Jean Wednesday morning caused traffic delays, a dispatcher with the Fayette County Emergency Operations Center said.

    May 23, 2013

  • Battery drive to benefit tornado victims

    A local business owner is collecting supplies for Oklahoma tornado victims and is asking everyone to donate if possible.

    May 23, 2013