Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Young Republicans in Parkersburg News

Howertown gets Young Republican post

PARKERSBURG - A Wood County man has been named chairman of the West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans.

Mike Howerton's goal in the next two years of his term is to expand the GOP organization in West Virginia, starting with the most-populated regions of the Mountain State.

"I won't stop working until we hit it," he said.

Howerton's selection was made on Saturday during the federation's summer executive committee meeting and 2009 convention in Parkersburg. The federation represents clubs around the state and has about 200 members.

Jennifer Maghan, the county clerk from Jefferson County, was elected vice chairman.

Kevin Noe of Cabel County was re-elected a national committeemen while Lisa Peana of Wayne County was elected as a national committeeman.

April Black of Cabell County was elected treasurer and Michelle Drain of Wood County was elected Mid-Ohio Valley regional representative for the organization.

Expanding young Republican clubs into every county will be difficult, he said. Some counties only have a hand full of members on their Republican executive committees, Howerton said.

However, expansion into populated areas is achievable, he said.

"I can do that," Howerton said.

Clubs have been established in seven counties, Wood, Cabell, Kanawha, Jefferson, Wayne, Putnam and Jackson counties, he said. At least three more counties will be added by the next meeting of the statewide group, Monongalia, Mercer and Logan counties, Howerton said.

"I'm glad to see new groups coming on board," said Howerton, who has served as vice chairman of the federation. "The main goal during my term of office will be to charter as many local county groups as possible."

The organization was reconstituted in Wood County in the summer of 2006.

Also attending Saturday's meeting was Doug McKinney, chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party; former Wood County GOP Chairman Rocky Peck; and Greg Smith, who will run for GOP chairman in Wood County next year.

"The youth represent the future and it is good to see that with their involvement the future will be in good hands," McKinney said.

link to story at www.newsandsentinel.com
http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/520287.html?nav=5061