W. Va. Veteran Seeks Return To Statehouse

CHARLESTON, W.V. (AllPolitics, Nov. 2) -- As Democratic Gov. Gaston Caperton leaves office after filling his quota of two terms, former Democratic state Sen. Charlotte Pritt is hoping her party's huge lead in voter registration will propel her past former GOP Gov. Cecil Underwood.

Underwood served from 1957 to 1961 as the youngest governor in West Virginia history. Underwood, who will turn 74 on Election Day, would be the state's oldest chief executive, if he's re-elected.

Some voters have expressed concerns about his age, but his seniority may also have contributed to cross-party support among his contemporaries. Similarly, Pritt's status as the first woman nominated for governor in state history has attracted some women Republicans, while giving pause to some male Democrats.

More than twice as many people participated in the Democratic gubernatorial primary May 14 as in the Republican primary. So, to siphon off Democratic votes, Underwood is borrowing a page from the playbook of Pritt's leading primary opponent, who castigated her as a pawn of mining and public employee unions.

Pritt, a coal miner's daughter, does enjoy financial backing from unions, as well as EMILY's List, a Democratic women's group. She promises to revisit the state workers' compensation formula to make it more favorable to workers.

Although Pritt has made more of an effort in recent weeks to reach out to business groups, Underwood enjoys the bulk of support in that sector. He has spent much of his career sitting on commissions that looked at ways of attracting modern technology and businesses to the state.

Congressional Quarterly contributed to this report.

Related Link:

• West Virginia State Profile