West Virginia gubernatorial candidate Betty Ireland speaks Monday evening to the Gateway Republican Women at Ryan's restaurant on Foxcroft Avenue. (By Ric Dugan/Staff Photographer / January 31, 2011) |
West Virginia gubernatorial candidate Betty Ireland is seen in the viewfinder of a video camera as she speaks Monday at Ryan’s restaurant on Foxcroft Avenue.
Betty Ireland told Eastern Panhandle residents Monday that the first thing she would do if elected governor would be to tear down the party tent on the grounds of the governor’s mansion.
Ireland, who announced her candidacy for governor last week, met Monday with Republicans in the Eastern Panhandle to kick off her first campaign.
After afternoon meetings with Republican executive committee members in Jefferson and Berkeley counties, Ireland spoke Monday evening to the Gateway Republican Women at Ryan’s restaurant on Foxcroft Avenue.
Gateway is an organization for all Republicans living in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties, and men were expected to attend the event, said staffer Suzanne Morgan, a campaign volunteer.
“Betty knows how important this region is for West Virginia and for economic development,” said Morgan, who also worked with Ireland during her Secretary of State campaign.
“I love the Eastern Panhandle,” Ireland said, “and I want people to feel they have a voice.”
Ireland, 65, said her career has prepared her for the job in leadership as West Virginia governor — from a high school teacher to a small-business owner to an executive in the pension business.
She currently is vice president of business relationships with Mid-Atlantic Technical, Research and Innovation Center (MATRIC).
“What I bring to the table has been through my career in business, management and technology,” she said.
She said she has learned about trying to make energy cleaner and the various environmental ramifications that are part of it.
If elected governor, the first thing Ireland said she would do is “put the party tent down,” referring to a large plastic tent on the governor’s mansion grounds that was installed by former Gov. Joe Manchin about three years ago to use for parties.
Ireland’s highest priority is to make sure there is a stable economy at the state level. She said the state has a $150 million surplus now but will face a $200 million deficit.
“There is no more federal stimulus and there will be higher Medicaid costs,” she said.
Ireland also wants West Virginia to be more attractive to businesses. She said companies are not coming into West Virginia because they are afraid they will get sued.
Instead of having only the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals available above the lower courts, Ireland said she wants an intermediate court established so more cases can be heard.
“West Virginia has not been business-friendly,” she said.
Ireland served as secretary of state from 2005-09 and was the first woman elected to West Virginia’s executive branch of government.
She did not seek re-election for a second term in order to care for her aging parents, who have since died, Ireland said.
Ireland is a native of Charleston, W.Va., and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. She taught public school in West Virginia for several years before entering the private sector.
Lynn Staton, Gateway Republican Women president, said about 50 people were expected to attend the event, but the sleet that began early Monday evening might have discouraged people from attending.
Paul and Alexis Roth of Falling Waters, W.Va., are relatively new to the region, having moved from the Baltimore area.
Alexis Roth is a Gateway Republican Women member, and her husband said he wants to learn more about Ireland’s views.
“That’s why I’m here,” Paul Roth said.
