CHARLESTON, W.Va., May 14 (UPI) -- Acting West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will face Bill Maloney and Bob Henry Baber in a special fall gubernatorial election, primary results Saturday showed.
Maloney, a Morgantown businessman making his first venture into elective politics, won the Republican nomination with 45 percent of the votes with 1,835 of 1,883 precincts counted, The Charleston Gazette reported. He upset former Secretary of State Betty Ireland, who was second with 31 percent. State Sen. Clark Barnes led the rest of the GOP field with 10 percent.
Tomblin, who has held the governorship since Joe Manchin gave up the office to become a U.S. senator last year, won the Democratic primary with 40 percent. House Speaker Rick Thompson was second with 24 percent. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant trailed with 17 percent, followed by state Treasurer John Perdue at 13 percent and acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, 5 percent.
Tomblin, Maloney and Baber, the Mountain Party candidate, will meet in the Oct. 4 general election. The winner will serve the slightly more than a year left in Manchin's term.
Tennant congratulated Tomblin and thanked her supporters when she conceded at 9:30 p.m., Huntington-Charleston TV station WOWK reported.
"Three months ago, we came together because we share the belief that with forward-thinking vision and leadership, West Virginia can take advantage of all of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Tennant said.
"Together, we can use innovation and accountability to make real change for the future of our great state. And now is the time to do just that.
"I would like to offer my congratulations to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, and my full support as we move ahead to the general election. By working together, we will build a stronger future for our state and for all West Virginians."
