POSTING on Obama for America website
May 9, 2008

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA

Legislators, Sheriffs, County Chairs Say Obama Best Person to Unify and Lead Country

CHARLESTON, WV - Days after Barack Obama's decisive win in North Carolina and a tight finish in Indiana, leaders across the Mountain State announced their endorsement of Barack Obama as the best person to unify and lead our country.    

Today West Virginia state senators, delegates, sheriffs and Democratic party chairs joined Senator Jay Rockefeller and the state's only member of Congress to endorse, Nick Rahall, in supporting Barack Obama.    Obama has also received the endorsement of West Virginia State Auditor Glen Gainer III.

"I have chosen to endorse Barack Obama because he has inspired our nation and will unify the country," said West Virginia State Senator Jeffrey Kessler (D-Marshall).  "We need a leader who will finally deliver on the challenges facing our nation, including affordable health care for all, quality education and restoring our nation's standing in the world.  That leader is Barack Obama."

"Barack Obama understands the needs of West Virginians," said Delegate John Doyle. "He has a solid plan to revitalize our nation's economy and as a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, he has been a strong advocate for our nation's veterans."

Below is the list of West Virginia leaders Endorsing Barack Obama today:
Sen. Dan Foster (Kanawha County)
Sen. Jon Blair Hunter (Mon County)
Sen. Jeff Kessler (Marshall)
Del. John Doyle (Jefferson County)
Del. Ron Fragale (Harrison County)
Del. Charlene Marshall (Mon County)
Del. Clif Moore (McDowell County)
Del. Alex Shook (Mon County)
Sheriff John Gruzinskas (Marshall)
Jerry Brookover (Chair, Wirt County Exec Committee)

The following are West Virginia leaders who have previously announced their endorsement of Barack Obama:

Ken Hechler, former Congressman and West Virginia Secretary of State
Glen B. Gainer III Auditor
Del. Tal Hutchins (Ohio County)
Sen. Larry Edgell (Wetzel County)  
Mayor Emmett Pugh (Beckley)
Sheriff Tom Burgoyne (Ohio County)
Commissioner David Sims (Ohio County)
John Saunders (former USW local president, Ohio County Dem co-chair)
Frank Slider (Tyler County Chair)