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The Race for Dem Chairman
Staff
Parkersburg
A Parkersburg lawyer says he's interested in heading up the state's Democratic Party.
Walt Auvil has served as the chairman of the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee for the past eight years and was elected to the state Democratic Executive Committee in 2006.But he says his political career began a long time before that.
"I've been involved in Democratic politics since I got the bug in Jay's (Rockefeller) campaign in 1972,” Auvil told MetroNews Wednesday. “So that gives you a clue I'm no spring chicken."
Auvil says he wasn't even considering a run for the job until several members of the state Executive Committee approached him after current Chair Nick Casey announced he wouldn't be seeking another term. Auvil says he would never have put his name out there had Casey still wanted the job.
"I don't do it out of any desire to cause a disruption or cause inner party strife,” he said.
But at this weekend's state Executive Party meeting, Auvil will have a high-profile challenger. Larry Puccio, Gov. Joe Manchin's former chief of staff and now a lobbyist for several different groups, will vie for votes.
Auvil says he won't make this an adversarial campaign.
"I don't view it as facing off against Larry,” he said. “I don't want to run him down or say anything negative about him."
But Auvil believes he has a lot of experience with the party that could be put to good use as chairman and he adds he has lots of experience helping out campaigns in his home county where Republicans and Democrats are on equal footing.
"I think I can be someone who can be helpful to folks who are running in tough districts and tough areas and hopefully expand the party,” Auvil.
The Democratic Executive Committee holds its annual meeting Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center to elect a chairman, swear in new members and take care of regular business.
The Race for Dem Chairman
Staff
Parkersburg
A Parkersburg lawyer says he's interested in heading up the state's Democratic Party.
Walt Auvil has served as the chairman of the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee for the past eight years and was elected to the state Democratic Executive Committee in 2006.But he says his political career began a long time before that.
"I've been involved in Democratic politics since I got the bug in Jay's (Rockefeller) campaign in 1972,” Auvil told MetroNews Wednesday. “So that gives you a clue I'm no spring chicken."
Auvil says he wasn't even considering a run for the job until several members of the state Executive Committee approached him after current Chair Nick Casey announced he wouldn't be seeking another term. Auvil says he would never have put his name out there had Casey still wanted the job.
"I don't do it out of any desire to cause a disruption or cause inner party strife,” he said.
But at this weekend's state Executive Party meeting, Auvil will have a high-profile challenger. Larry Puccio, Gov. Joe Manchin's former chief of staff and now a lobbyist for several different groups, will vie for votes.
Auvil says he won't make this an adversarial campaign.
"I don't view it as facing off against Larry,” he said. “I don't want to run him down or say anything negative about him."
But Auvil believes he has a lot of experience with the party that could be put to good use as chairman and he adds he has lots of experience helping out campaigns in his home county where Republicans and Democrats are on equal footing.
"I think I can be someone who can be helpful to folks who are running in tough districts and tough areas and hopefully expand the party,” Auvil.
The Democratic Executive Committee holds its annual meeting Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center to elect a chairman, swear in new members and take care of regular business.
