Criss set to return to House of Delegates

Incumbent Delegate John Kelly, R-10th, of Wood County, congratulates Delegate-elect Republican Vernon Criss, right, on Tuesday night. Kelly, Criss and incumbent Republican Frank Deem will represent Wood County's 10th Delegate District in the West Virginia House of Delegates following Tuesday's unofficial election totals. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG -- A former Delegate will be returning to the House while a current delegate is moving on to the state Senate as Wood County and the surrounding counties that make up the state's 3rd Senatorial District will maintain its Republican representation.

With the unofficial election results in Tuesday night, former Republican Delegate Vernon Criss is returning to the House for the next two years. He will be joining incumbents Republicans John Kelly and Frank Deem occupying the three seats that make up the 10th District.

Kelly received the top number of votes with 11,137, Deem was second with 10,385 and Criss secured the third seat with 8,518. They beat out Democratic challengers Bill Merriman who received 8,462 votes, J. Morgan Leach who received 7,623 votes and Andy Daniel who received 7,355 votes.

Criss was very happy with the outcome Tuesday night.

"I have been on both sides of this before," he said. "Winning is not too bad of a feeling.

"Now we have to get to work and get some things taken care for the state of West Virginia."

With the state facing a $300 million deficit during the current fiscal year which will go into the regular session early next year.

"The fiscal issues are going to be my top priority," Criss said.

He faced similar problems when he was in the House of Delegates in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was first appointed to the House in 1987 and won re-election and served until 1991.

"It looks like we are going to have those same problems again," Criss said. "We resolved them at that time and we will find a way to resolve them this time."

Kelly, who won a second term, was also happy with the outcome and is ready to get to work.

"We are ready to go," he said. "It looks like we will take a full slate of Republicans back to the House.

"Let's get on with the business of the state."

Kelly's priorities will include long-term drug and alcohol treatment on which he has already begun drafting bills for.

Deem, who has served in both the House and the Senate for numerous terms, said he was glad to be returning to the House. He felt the new Republican majority has gotten a lot done to create an atmosphere where businesses can come to the state and create jobs and improve the state's economy.

He feels the budget deficit will be a big priority for the Legislature to deal with.

"We don't want to raise taxes," Deem said.

The state has already made a number of cuts. They will have to look at making more cuts and dipping into the Rainy Day fund to balance out the budget, Deem said.

Bill Anderson, R-Wood, retained his 8th District House seat with 4,835 votes over his Democratic challenger David Bland who received 3,151 votes.

"I do appreciate the support of the voters," Anderson said.

He understands the budget challenges the state will be facing over the next couple of years and those re-elected and elected for the first time will have a number of challenges ahead.

"I am well aware of the challenges ahead," Anderson said.

Anderson was pleased with how all of the candidates in local races at the county and state level. Both Democrats and Republicans had productive discussions of the issues throughout the campaign and worked hard to inform the voters.

"They all conducted a campaign the way it is suppose to be done," Anderson said.

Republican Ray Hollen will be taking over the seat for the House 9th District which was occupied by Republican Anna Border-Sheppard who decided not to seek another term. The 9th District is made up of all of Wirt County and part of Wood County.

Hollen beat out Democratic challenger Jim Marion 4,518 to 3,011 votes. Hollen feels blessed to have been chosen by the voters.

"I am ready to roll up my sleeves and help get West Virginia turned around," he said. "I will represent all West Virginians from the unborn to the senior citizens

Hollen's priorities are to deal with the state's drug problem and to help build its economy.

"We owe it to all West Virginians to make this a great place to live and work," he said.

Del. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, will be joining incumbent Senator Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, in the State Senate representing the state's 3rd Senatorial District which is made up of Wood, Pleasants, Wirt and part of Roane counties.

Azinger received a total of 22,895 votes across the four counties compared to the 18,933 votes received by the Democratic candidate Gregory K. Smith. Azinger won Wood, Wirt and Roane counties while Smith received the most votes in Pleasants County.

Azinger said he is very excited about going to the state Senate. He is thankful to God and his family for seeing him through this time with his family working hard to help get him elected.

"I will have a laser focus on job creation," he said.

That will be accomplished by cutting burdensome regulations that hinder job creation as well as cutting taxes. Azinger will also continue to defend the social issues he has worked on including religious freedom protection, Second amendment rights and Right to Life.

Boley received a total of 26,924 votes across the four counties compared to the 14,700 votes received by Democratic candidate Bradley VanZile. Boley won Wood, Wirt, and Roane Counties, but VanZile won their home county of Pleasants County.

Boley felt good the voters supported her for a ninth time.

"It means a lot to me that they voted for me again," she said.

Her priorities will be dealing with the $300 million deficit. She is not sure how that money will be made up, but lawmakers will look at a number of options. Education also remains a top priority for her as well as eliminating the state's Common Core education requirements. She hopes to remain the vice-chair of the Senate's education committee.

"Jobs in general is also remains a priority for me in the next term," she said.