Kessler Takes Early Plunge
Enters race for governor in 2012By JOSELYN KING
Article Photos
WHEELING - Current state Sen. Jeff Kessler wants to be the next governor of West Virginia.
On Tuesday, Kessler, D-Marshall, filed pre-candidacy papers with the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office to form an exploratory committee to run for governor as a Democrat in 2012.
Current Gov. Joe Manchin's term limit will be up that year.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of support I get," Kessler said. "But I intend to run, and I intend to win."
Kessler, 53, a Glen Dale resident and Moundsville lawyer, last year was re-elected to a third four-year term in the West Virginia Senate.
He initially was appointed to the Senate in November 1997 to fill a vacancy created by the death of former Sen. Larry Wiedebusch, D-Marshall, and he was elected himself in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Kessler currently serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee - among the top leadership positions in the Legislature.
"In the past 10 years, there has not been one piece of major legislation that I haven't written, been behind, or been the chief architect of," Kessler said.
He made reference to legislation pertaining to medical malpractice and workers' compensation reform, as well as those involving the establishment of the Promise Scholarship and bringing table games to the Northern Panhandle.
Kessler said he chose to file his candidacy now just as he and other candidates are closing out their 2008 campaign funds.
"You have to file a new committee when you run for governor," he noted. "I initially filed as undeclared, but I decided to make the jump."
Kessler noted his name "had been bandied around" a lot in recent months as a potential gubernatorial candidate, and that he has since received "widespread support" from various groups.
Among those Kessler said have indicated their support for him are coal companies, labor unions, doctors and fellow lawyers.
"I have the support from everyone from the (American Civil Liberties Union) to teachers to preachers," he continued. "Butchers, bakers, candlestick makers - I have a wide ground swell of support. And I think I can do a better job than any other names thrown out."
Kessler believes West Virginia is poised to be one of the fastest-growing states in the union.
"We have the potential to be more than we dream about," he said. "The progress we've made in the last few years is just touching the tip of the iceberg."
He said as governor he would focus on jobs and making sure the state's energy resources are used properly and maximized.
"We have the resources," Kessler said. "They are the lynchpin to our economic survival - both for the region and the state. I want to create wealth for the people of this state."
He isn't interested in returning to the Senate after his current term is completed.
"I have been in the Senate since the beginning of 1998 - and I will have been here nearly 15 years by the end of 2012," Kessler said. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life in the state Senate."
Kessler last year also considered a run for a seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, but he said Tuesday that no longer interests him.
"Maybe it is something I would consider in my twilight," he said. "But right now I have more twinkle than twilight."
Kessler and his wife, Gretchen, have four children between them, including two infants.
There have been few statewide office holders to come from the Northern Panhandle.
George Wesley Atkinson of Ohio County was elected governor in 1896, and Glen Dale resident resident Arch A. Moore was elected three times to the office - in 1968, 1972 and in 1984.
|
melodykelso
|
|
|---|---|
|
02-16-10 1:29 AM
|
Jeff Kessler Supports & promote policies by NON-TAXPAYING organize syndicates Economic extremist animal groups, hsus who Supports Terrorism inside the USA! IT's a Shame my taxpayers money who pays your salary Supports policies to a known Economic extremist terrorist animal groups who are breeding grounds for Felons,convicts & Terrorist! You prefer to prosecute small farmers,taxpayers,veterans to jail because of Chickens that millions of americans eat in tons! doj should be investigating you in VIOLATING the AETA laws of 2006, it's illegal for any individuals to conspire , interfere with animal enterprise..a felony crime..
|
|
shastacooper
|
|
|
04-09-09 9:52 AM
|
WV conservative, I have slicked back hair, what's wrong with me? You don't even know, take a negative shot at me. Chances are , you probably don't personally know the person you are taking a shot at. You probably have no hair to slick back, if the truth be known. Posting anomymously is very coward.
|
|
ORVILLEPERKINS
|
|
|
04-08-09 8:31 PM
|
any body know of a VIRGIN POLITICIAN we can run for GOV.
|
|
EllisWyatt
|
|
|
04-08-09 6:35 PM
|
Doctors and lawyers? Unions and coal companies? This IS West Virginia, which means the politician will throw a bone to the unions and the trial lawyers, while doctors and companies get the shaft. Unions and trial lawyers have made massive contributions to the joke that currently passes as West Virginia's economy. Unions destroyed productivity and drove up costs; trial lawyers destroyed market cap and cash flow. The only people who win with trial lawyers are the trial lawyers. Same thing with the unions.
|
|
richardwhee
|
|
|
04-08-09 1:42 PM
|
Support frow doctors, lawyers,teachers, unions and coal. Hmmmmm, if elected, how can he please all?
|
|
WVConservative
|
|
|
04-08-09 12:58 PM
|
I guess Kessler and his fellow personal injury attorney buddies have run enough companies out of the state that he doesn't have anyone left to sue and needs to go on the state payroll. The only person I would be less likely to vote for would be Jay Rockefeller. Kessler is pretty Barack Obama with slicked back hair. Tax and spend liberals are ruining our country, so vote against Jeff Kessler
|
|
ORVILLEPERKINS
|
|
|
04-08-09 10:13 AM
|
HE IS THE NICEST PERSON, I CALLED FOR ONE OF HIS SIGNS FOR RE-ELECTION. HE CALLED ME BACK PERSONALLY TO SAY HE WAS OUT OF SIGNS, BUT WOULD SEE THAT ONE WAS IN MY YARD AS SOON AS NEW ONES ARRIVED. I LIKED THAT FROM A POLITICAN WHO RUNS THINGS PERSONALLY AND NOT BY OTHERS.
|
|
shastacooper
|
|
|
04-08-09 9:32 AM
|
donaldo, since you have gone on record...do you care to offer your choice publicly? I would imagine we will never find out who you are supporting. There are a small percentage of persons who post that are negative about every story that is posted. I believe that you are one of those (example joes the village idiot as we will permanently refer to him. I
|
|
Donaldo
|
|
|
04-08-09 9:02 AM
|
When are we going to hear from someone other than this guy's friends and families?
|
|
wheelingme
|
|
|
04-08-09 8:32 AM
|
Finally someone who will do the right thing!!!!! Go get-em you got my vote!!!
|
|
Ladydiamond
|
|
|
04-08-09 6:39 AM
|
Jeff Kessler has my vote. He is a fine upstanding man and a great choice for Governor of West Virginia.
|
|
ifnotnowwhen
|
|
|
04-08-09 1:10 AM
|
What a refreshing choice he would be! Senator Kessler has brought talent, meaningnful results and dignity to an otherwise decade of inconsequential lawmakers. Kessler has shown courage, skill and leadership. He has avoided the self-serving, special-interest, embarassing representation that has plagued West Virginia government. A MAN FOR THE RIGHT REASON.
|