House candidates unbothered by Criss write-in effort
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PARKERSBURG - Candidates set to appear on the November general election ballot for the District 12 House of Delegates seat said they are unconcerned about incumbent Del. Vernon Criss filing to run as a write-in.
"I'm not worried about him winning," said Charles Hartzog, the 23-year-old Walmart employee who defeated Criss 688-423 in the May Republican primary.
The other two candidates on the ballot - Democrat Dennis V. Rempel and Libertarian Stephen Thomas Smith - said they welcome Criss, the chairman of the House Finance Committee, back into the race.
"It makes me work harder, knowing that Vernon Criss is going to run," said Rempel, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. “I respect his decision to be a candidate and wish him and all the other candidates the best of luck. My focus will remain on running a positive campaign, meeting with voters, discussing the issues that matter to our communities, and earning their support.”
Smith said he ran years ago as a write-in for Parkersburg City Council after losing in a primary and he expects Criss will have an uphill battle.
"Certainly it's his right to do so. It's unfortunate that the Republican Party can't seem to get along with each other," Smith said.
Criss filed to run as a write-in last week, saying he believed the state GOP's decision to keep unaffiliated voters from casting ballots in the primary contributed to his loss.
"Where was he in the primary on that?" Hartzog said.
Hartzhog also received support - in the form of finances and door-knocking - from Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Morrisey-affiliated independent expenditure groups opposed to Criss.
Hartzog said he believes running as a write-in candidate is Criss's way of skirting the 2018 Sore Loser Law, which prohibits candidates who lose in a primary from switching parties to re-enter a race.
"(Running as a write-in) is the only way for him to run again," Hartzog said, adding, "He's grasping at straws."
Hartzog reiterated he did not mean to imply Criss is "a bad person," but "out of touch."
And learning he is re-entering the race has not changed Hartzog's strategy, as he noted social media comments have led him to believe there is a mixed reaction from the constituency, and that more people want Criss not to run.
Hartzog plans, then, to continue focusing on issues such as working toward the permanent reduction of both income and property taxes in the state. One way to accomplish that goal, he said, is to increase tourism.
"That increases sales tax revenue without increasing sales taxes," he said.
As he began to walk around Parkersburg Homecoming Friday, Hartzog said the next stop on his schedule would be the MOV Indivisible Back to School Bash on Saturday, where he planned to take part in the breakfast, clothing and school supplies giveaway.
He said he was tired of those in Charleston, "whether it be the governor, whether it be Vernon, saying 'We need to help kids.'"
"Well, help them," Hartzog said.