by Ron Gregory
ronjgregory@gmail.com
WILLIAMSON — West Virginia’s infamous history of political slate-making apparently continues in Mingo County.
While generous reporters refer to a “West Virginia slate” as a “group of candidates that run on a common platform,” Mountain State political historians view the candidate line-up cards as much more than that. In fact, numerous courtroom battles have been fought and administrative decisions made concerning “slates.”
In most political quarters, “slates” have become synonymous with the old vote-buying methods that included the famous “dollar-and-a-swaller (of liquor)”. Although many believe that slates, in and of themselves, are not illegal, the historic implications of slates is not positive.
Some have maintained that newspapers, like the late Charleston Gazette, crusaded against slate-making while offering the “last of the slates” itself. Those making those comments are referring to the paper’s political endorsements that are generally printed on the front of the paper in a form looking very much like printed slates.
Be that as it may, the Corridor Chronicle has been provided a copy of a “slate” that has allegedly been distributed in the Chattaroy area prior to the 2016 election. The paper says it is “Paid for by Gary Stepp.” Election accounting procedures would require Stepp to report his expenditures for the slate.
Listed on the slate are what are generally referred to as “Team Mingo” candidates in the upcoming May primary election. The slate urges votes for Circuit Judge Miki Thompson, Family Court Judge candidate Tonya Mounts Hatfield, Circuit Clerk candidate Billy Sammons, County Commissioner John Mark Hubbard, Prosecutor Teresa Maynard, Assessor Ramona Mahon, Sheriff James Smith, Delegates Justin Marcum and Phyllis White, County Clerk candidate Yogi Croaff, Magistrates Barry Marcum and Brock Mounts and Magistrate candidate Big Block Smith.
Stepp has been accused by some courthouse sources of removing the signs of opposition candidates from public rights-of-way and private properties. The sources say that matter has been turned over to law enforcement for investigation.