Jefferson County Commissioner Rusty Morgan has withdrawn from the Republican primary race for state senator, citing ongoing problems with his eyesight. Morgan has undergone four operations for detached retinas in the past two years. “It is a difficult decision. I regret letting down my supporters and the public, but I feel this is the right decision,” he said. “It has nothing to do with the race. It is a personal decision. At this point I just need to have some privacy.” Morgan says he will continue to perform his duties as a Jefferson County Commissioner until the end of his term. According to his campaign manager Tom Trumble, Morgan will confer with the Secretary of State’s office on how to return campaign contributions. Morgan’s departure leaves Bob Adams unopposed in May’s primary. He’ll face Democrat Herb Snyder in the fall.

Ruth McQuade is campaigning hard for the race for Jefferson County prosecuting attorney. With 24 years experience as a federal prosecutor, McQuade says she is tough and right for the job. McQuade’s campaign has questioned the propriety of an advertisement paid for by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Lorenzetti—who is also running for prosecuting attorney on May 13. The advertisement included endorsements from a number of staff in his office. McQuade described such advertisements as “problematic,” raising the issue of a perception that Lorenzetti traded endorsements for management favors. Mike Thompson, current prosecuting attorney, confirmed that Lorenzetti does have management responsibilities—he supervises staff scheduling and runs the entire department when Mr. Thompson is away. However Jason Williams, head of elections at the secretary of state’s office, said he saw no problem with this advertisement so long as no money changed hands. When asked about the advertisement, Lorenzetti acknowledged he had solicited endorsements from his co-workers, “but always outside the office,” he said.

Judge Spike Maynard continues to run into difficulty in his campaign for reelection to West Virginia’s Supreme Court. Over the past few months his close relationship with Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship has attracted considerable scrutiny. In March, after significant pressure, Maynard recused himself from a $76 million case involving Massey. In April ABC News ran a nine minute feature on Massey and Maynard. To see this clip, search for “Spike Maynard” at www.YouTube.com. On a Panhandle radio show recently, Maynard claimed he met Blankenship only “one day and twice for dinner” while on vacation in Monaco. But court documents obtained by The Observer show photographs of the two men together on three separate days.

Former Charles Town mayor Randolph Hilton has endorsed Lyn Widmyer for County Commission. He said in a letter to The Observer, “Lyn is a seasoned and award-winning professional planner who recognizes the necessity of a successful blueprint for the future. She is a manager with demonstrated experience in local government addressing the issues of growth and budget which face our County. As a citizen advocate for over 23 years, appearing before the county commission and planning commission, she has sought open and transparent government while voicing concerns to improve our county. Lastly, Lyn is a seasoned leader and professional with the interpersonal skills, good will, and humor to promote a more harmonious and productive relationship on the commission.”

Beth Walker, a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, has won the endorsement of WVL-PAC, the political action committee of West Virginians for Life and the state’s largest pro-life organization. In a press release Beth Walker’s campaign wrote, without irony: “I am proud to have the support of West Virginians for Life. Judicial activism has no place in our court system. Our Supreme Court Justices must not substitute their personal views for the rule of law.”