Marty Wright Selected As New Chairman

Wright is a former assistant prosecuting attorney, and is currently a litigation attorney for the law firm Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP. He is a graduate of West Virginia University's College of Law, and was a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Arthur M. Recht and Honorable James P. Mazzone upon graduation from law school. He currently serves on several State Bar committees, and was most recently a member of the lawyer advertising commission which analyzed and recommended changes to the rules surrounding lawyer advertising.

For the past two years, Wright has additionally served as the attorney for the Republican Senators in the West Virginia Legislature. In that capacity, he has been responsible for working with Sen. Andy McKenzie (R) and the other Republican members of the WV Senate in drafting legislation, discussing public policy, and analyzing the legal ramifications of new laws. This past September, Wright filed suit on behalf of the Senate Republicans against Democratic leaders who had refused Republican attempts to eliminate the 6% sales tax on food.

As chair of the executive committee, Wright will now be called upon to lead the Republican Party through the general election on November 7, 2006. "The Republican Executive Committee is energized and excited about this year's election. I look forward to working with each of them to spread that enthusiasm throughout the community while at the same time providing the public with information about our candidates and party."

With just under three months till the election, Wright said there is an increased necessity to highlight the differences between the Republican and Democratic candidates, "This is the first election in several years where there is clear contrast between the candidates. Del. Gil White and Scott Reed favor reducing taxes, working for the concerns of the people in our area, and moving the State above the second to last business ranking it finds itself in."

Commenting on Wright's selection, Del. White stated, "Having witnessed Marty's hand?on approach in Charleston, I know he has a keen understanding of the political process that will be instrumental in leading the party forward. Ohio County has been blessed to have tremendous county chairs in the past, and I am confident that under Marty's leadership the same aggressive leadership style will benefit all Republican candidates and the party as a whole."

Overall, Wright says the Executive Committee wants to make sure people get out and vote, regardless of their political affiliation. "Whether you care about politics or not, this election is going to have a significant impact on our community. My hope is that voters will vote on the issues and candidates, and not solely on their party affiliation."

In recent years, the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee has been the regional center for the Republican Party on both the State and Federal level. Recent prior chairs have included U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Johnston, the late Kathy Fortunato, and current House of Delegate candidate Scott Reed. "I will miss working with Kathy during this election, but I believe the committee made an excellent choice in their selection of Marty as the new chair. Marty is a bright, articulate man with tremendous leadership skills and I look forward to working with both him and the Executive Committee during the upcoming election." Reed said.

In addition to Wright, the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee is comprised of James Swann, Vice-Chair; John Seibert, Secretary; Patsy Glessner, Treasurer; Marty Medovic, Executive Director, Jerry Burke, Sally Ezell, Robert Luchetti, Paula McClure, Elgine McCardle Charlie Schlegel, and Greta Swann.