Marion County Democrats search for way forward after electoral defeat

Nov. 7—FAIRMONT — Republican candidates performed better than expected in Marion County, leaving county Democrats wondering how to move forward.

"Something very ineffective going on with messaging, and I think even with the polls as well," Marion County Democratic Executive Chair Jarryd Powell said. "Political parties, Democrats specifically after a loss, you go and take a hard look in the mirror, and you think about how you can better advocate for the voters."

Powell said the challenge is to think about how the party can get its message out to voters that its values are reflective of West Virginia's values.

President-elect Donald Trump played a major role in helping Marion County Republicans secure their seats in both the West Virginia House of Delegates and Marion County Commission, as well as pick up new posts for County Assessor and Circuit Court Clerk. Excitement for the candidate drove the historic 65% turnout in Marion County. Trump carried Marion County by 64%.

"He helped us," returning House of Delegates member Mike DeVault, R-74, said. "I mean, every, everybody I talked to vote for me was gonna vote for Trump. He was a strong candidate, right time, right place."

A common refrain at polling places in Monongah and Fairmont Senior Field House was that voters were unfamiliar with the down ballot names. However, the turnout Trump had in Marion County transferred to down ballot candidates, as uninformed voters cast ballots. That fact overcame the registration advantage county Democrats had over Republicans prior to the election.

Powell said there's a need for the state Democratic Party of West Virginia to do a better job of integrating county executive committees into their plans and outreach.

"There needs to be more coordination within the entire party structure, and that's going to need to really having us all come together as a party, take a hard look in the mirror, and then think about the future direction that we want to go," he said.

Democrats had one reason to celebrate. Delegate turned West Virginia state senator-elect Joey Garcia won his race for West Virginia's District 13 State Senate seat. However, his challenger, Rebecca Polis, closed the gap between her and Garcia to 437 votes.

Garcia said what made his campaign successful was its relatively simple message.

"I think where our campaign was successful was to make it about something as simple as young people who've left the state," he said. "How do we keep them here and how do we bring them back home?"

The electoral realities hit hard for supporters of Democratic competitors who were left empty handed after all the votes were counted. Rebekah Aranda, an independent voter, was at Joey Garcia's victory party Tuesday night. She said state politics is where her heart resides, and said West Virginians need to start realizing what kind of effect Republican policies like reducing taxes has done to the state.

The outcome has been cuts to PEIA, Medicare and public education.

"It's really frustrating that people keep voting for candidates that aren't really responsible to the state — that make promises that aren't reasonable," Aranda said. "I think it starts at the top of the ballot and people vote down ballot and then we end up with results that really harm people and they don't realize it."