A longtime aide to Sen. Robert C. Byrd opened her own political career Thursday by borrowing from an old Jimmy Carter speech.
"Hello. My name is Anne Barth and I'm running for Congress," she said as she stepped to the podium before a small but loud crowd in the state Capitol Rotunda.
Barth, 50, entered the fray at the last minute, filing to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat just after 11 p.m. Saturday, less than an hour before the filing deadline. She had held off running after top national Democratic leaders endorsed state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley. Unger, however, decided earlier Saturday not to run.
Congressional candidate Anne Barth (center) speaks with Beverly Forbes (left) and Mercedes Sayre at the kickoff for Barth’s campaign Thursday at the state Capitol.
Those in attendance Thursday included legislative and party leaders. But Barth tried to reach out past them, speaking of helping everyday West Virginians who have walked into Byrd's state offices looking for help.
"I see them and talk to them every day, and I can tell you they are concerned about the economy," she said. "They are concerned about their jobs. The dollar is shrinking and the price of gas and groceries is exploding. People in the 2nd District are concerned about the costs of the war. Our veterans are concerned about their benefits. Teachers and parents are concerned about our schools.
"And just about all of them are worried about how they're going to make ends meet in this economy."
Barth faces Richie Robb, a longtime South Charleston mayor, and South Charleston attorney Thornton Cooper in the Democratic primary. The winner will take on Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who has held the seat since 2001.
"We need new strategies," Barth said in a shot at Capito. "Cozying up to George Bush and Dick Cheney may have worked for a while as a strategy to help your own political career, but it was a terrible strategy for helping West Virginians. It didn't work, and pretty soon they'll all be out of work. Make no mistake. New leadership is coming to Washington."
Several times in her speech she used the new political word for Democrats in 2008: change.
"And the voters of West Virginia intend to bring change to Washington, and as the next congresswoman from the 2nd District I intend to be part of that change," she said to cheers.
Her announcement made people like Putnam County school board member Debbie Phillips believe a Democratic woman can unseat an incumbent Republican woman, even possibly taking Putnam County.
"It's going to be a real battle," said Phillips, saying she has been a friend of Barth's for years.
Capito has run well in Putnam County in previous elections, never having lost it.
A longtime aide to Sen. Robert C. Byrd opened her own political career Thursday by borrowing from an old Jimmy Carter speech.
"Hello. My name is Anne Barth and I'm running for Congress," she said as she stepped to the podium before a small but loud crowd in the state Capitol Rotunda.
Barth, 50, entered the fray at the last minute, filing to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat just after 11 p.m. Saturday, less than an hour before the filing deadline. She had held off running after top national Democratic leaders endorsed state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley. Unger, however, decided earlier Saturday not to run.
Those in attendance Thursday included legislative and party leaders. But Barth tried to reach out past them, speaking of helping everyday West Virginians who have walked into Byrd's state offices looking for help.
"I see them and talk to them every day, and I can tell you they are concerned about the economy," she said. "They are concerned about their jobs. The dollar is shrinking and the price of gas and groceries is exploding. People in the 2nd District are concerned about the costs of the war. Our veterans are concerned about their benefits. Teachers and parents are concerned about our schools.
"And just about all of them are worried about how they're going to make ends meet in this economy."
Barth faces Richie Robb, a longtime South Charleston mayor, and South Charleston attorney Thornton Cooper in the Democratic primary. The winner will take on Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who has held the seat since 2001.
"We need new strategies," Barth said in a shot at Capito. "Cozying up to George Bush and Dick Cheney may have worked for a while as a strategy to help your own political career, but it was a terrible strategy for helping West Virginians. It didn't work, and pretty soon they'll all be out of work. Make no mistake. New leadership is coming to Washington."
Several times in her speech she used the new political word for Democrats in 2008: change.
"And the voters of West Virginia intend to bring change to Washington, and as the next congresswoman from the 2nd District I intend to be part of that change," she said to cheers.
Her announcement made people like Putnam County school board member Debbie Phillips believe a Democratic woman can unseat an incumbent Republican woman, even possibly taking Putnam County.
"It's going to be a real battle," said Phillips, saying she has been a friend of Barth's for years.
Capito has run well in Putnam County in previous elections, never having lost it.
Delegate Bonnie Brown, D-Kanawha, said Barth has name recognition, knows party leaders and can carry Kanawha County. All four congressional candidates call Kanawha their home county.
Capito has always had problems in Kanawha County, the state's largest, but has never been solidly beaten there.
Labor leader Elaine Harris was excited about Barth's candidacy.
"I think this is a serious competitor," the Communications Workers of America official said. "She's got the experience. She's got the best mentor in the world."
Harris said she also believes Barth can run well in the state's Eastern Panhandle, an area where Capito has crushed other Democrats.
"She's worked that area and she knows that area," Harris said of the former telephone operator.
State Auditor Glen Gainer said Barth could "really offer a change for the voters."
"I think she can be a formidable opponent for Shelley," he said.
The daughter of a Methodist minister, Barth spent much of her formative years growing up in Charleston's East End, where she went to Roosevelt Junior High. She's married to Charleston attorney Nick Barth and their two daughters are enrolled at West Virginia University.
"And when I get to Washington I don't intend to rattle around on the back bench," Barth vowed in another barb at Capito. "I intend to join hands with the delegation I have worked with so well over the years - Senator Byrd, Senator Rockefeller, Congressman Mollohan and Congressman Rahall - and as a team we will get things done for the people of my district.
"I am running for results. I am running for prosperity. I am running for change."
To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5198.
Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, sexually explicit, racist or offensive will be removed. If you wouldn’t say it to your mother, don’t post it here.
Be civil. Don’t threaten to hurt anyone. Personal attacks, insults or harassment of any kind are subject to removal.
Be truthful. Don’t lie about a situation or person.
Keep it brief. Keep your comment to one post. Redundant or multiple posts in a row aren’t allowed.
Stay on task. Stick to the topics relevant to the story and discussion.
Let us know about offensive comments. Click the “Report Abuse” button if you think a comment is against the rules.
Post a comment