CORRIDOR CHRONICLE
Mandt back in race
by Ron Gregory
Huntington — Just when one thought it couldn’t get any weirder.
Sixteenth Delegate District Republican John Mandt has told associates he is back in the race to fill his now empty seat.
Mandt had earlier submitted his House resignation, effective at 11:59 p.m., Saturday
When making the resignation announcement, Mandt told reporters and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw that he was withdrawing as a candidate for re-election.
However, Mandt’s withdrawal came too.late to remove his name from the ballot.
After media reports confirmed that Mandt’s name would still be on the November 3, he apparently began to reconsider that decision.
Friends said Mandt has now decided to “let the people decide what happens.”
Mandt has been a controversial figure since being elected to his first term two years ago. Recently, a front page article in The (Huntington) Herald-Dispatch detailed allegations that Mandt had posted anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ messages on a social.mefia group site. Mandt said he did not post the messages but resigned a few hours later.
There are three delegates from the 16th. In addition to Mandt, incumbent Delegate Daniel Linville and Mark Bates represent Republicans.
Mandt is well-known as owner of the local Stewart’s Hot Dog locations.