John focused on the issues, specifically the need for more jobs and less federal government interference with expensive new programs like the unpopular Obamacare health care plan. Those were both issues of great importance to West Virginians across party lines.

Moreover, the polls reflected that most voters agreed with John on these vital issues. In fact, the Rasmussen poll had John up seven points with three weeks to go–quite a feat when running against an incumbent Governor.

Instead of taking the high road and debating the issues, John’s opponent, Joe Manchin, stooped to a new low in the final weeks of his campaign when he chose to buy the largest negative TV ad campaign in West Virginia history. Manchin wasn’t content with just going after John personally. He also decided that John’s family, his companies, and his employees were fair game. That was over the line. After all, our daughters and I were not on the ballot. His companies and employees, some of the finest in West Virginia, were vilified. None of this mattered to Manchin.

Now I’m not asking for your sympathy–everyone knows that politics is a contact sport. I would only ask that you look hard over the next nine months as to which candidate truly has a stronger commitment to West Virginia values, a slimmer federal government, a stronger national defense, and a more robust private sector so that we can create the jobs West Virginia citizens deserve.

Joe Manchin has had a political lifetime to devise some serious ideas on these important issues. John had the courage in 2010 to simply offer an alternative. I think if you look at John’s values, you will find that they are very similar to yours. On the other hand, I believe you will find that Joe Manchin’s values are very similar to Barack Obama’s.

Given Joe Manchin’s history and the start of this campaign, I know that he will again attack our family, our companies, and our employees. This time, I will not sit back idly and let this happen without challenging him every step of the way. Instead, I would now like to ask him a question: “Joe, what about your family?” Many of us will recall what was labeled nationally as the “Heather Bresch Scandal at West Virginia University.” Heather Bresch, of course, is the daughter of Joe Manchin.

Bresch claimed to have earned an MBA degree, but when a WVU investigation asked for evidence to support her claim, she had very little to show. Instead of backing off early and admitting error, Heather Manchin Bresch dragged WVU through months of the worst national public relations nightmare it had ever experienced.

The value of every single WVU diploma was denigrated by these events. Just imagine the new WVU graduate. They had worked hard for four years to start to make their way in the world, only to worry what job recruiters thought while reading about the academic scandal going on in Morgantown.

All of us who have earned our degree from WVU owe that investigatory committee a debt of gratitude for clearing things up and informing Heather Manchin Bresch and the world that no, she had not earned an MBA from WVU.

While WVU’s academic reputation was being tarnished in articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other national media outlets over the scandal, then Governor Joe Manchin said very little except to encourage and enable his daughter’s ill-chosen path, even when the truth of the matter was increasingly clear: his daughter simply hadn’t done the work to complete her degree.

To make matters worse, when the investigation resulted with the finding that the Governor’s daughter’s claim of having earned an MBA degree was invalid, Manchin tried to shift the blame. “All I can hope for as a parent,” he said, “is that WVU’s leaders will correct whatever problems that led to this situation so that no other student will have to go through this kind of ordeal in the future.” (“Criticism for Degree to Governor’s Daughter,” by Ian Urbina, New York Times, April 25, 2008.) This is the same parent who couldn’t remember attending his own daughter’s WVU graduation.

Now, if Manchin is really worried about this happening to another West Virginia student, I think he can rest easily. After all, the vast majority of parents who send their children to WVU would never encourage them to drag the rest of the student body, professors, staff, and alumni through the grinder for months without serious evidence to support their claim. That is an arrogance reserved only for a special few.

Moreover, it is my opinion, as well as the opinion of others, that this scandal was a significant reason why the Atlantic Coast Conference rejected WVU’s bid to become a member of that conference.

After all this mess, the only people who came out unscathed where Joe Manchin and his daughter, Heather Bresch, who is now making a multi-million dollar salary as CEO of Mylan Pharmaceuticals. Many people lost their jobs in the aftermath. WVU President at the time of the scandal, Mike Garrison, resigned his position along with then Provost Gerald Lang. In addition, the business school Dean during the scandal, Steve Sears, stepped down along with then Associate Dean Cyril Logar. This ordeal continues to make headlines. Just the other day, federal district judge, Frederick Stamp, entered an order against then Dean Sears’ and Associate Dean Logar’s claims that Manchin’s handpicked WVU administrators had deprived them of their legal rights. Stamp’s ruling appears to be based on technicalities rather than the substantive merit of Sears’ and Logar’s claim. On January 31, 2012, Sears and Logar filed an appeal of Stamp’s ruling with the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, VA where this matter will now be heard.

If you find Senator Manchin’s behavior unsettling, you are not alone. There is a choice this year that many have to make. My husband of 33 years, John Raese, is about God, family, country, and standing up for what is right. He will work hard to represent West Virginians well in D.C. and you will always know where he stands.

Moreover, he’ll always try to lift up WVU and all our educational institutions, not drag them down. After all, like myself and so many of us, he’s a proud West Virginia University alumnus too.

Elizabeth Solomon Raese
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
West Virginia University, 1977

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It would be wonderful if Congress could pass a piece of legislation that would cure our economic woes but the simple truth is there is no such thing as a jobs bill.  The idea that the 535-men and women in Washington can craft a piece of legislation to put America back to work is simply a cruel myth.

John Raese believes the key ingredient to a sturdy economic recovery is taking positive steps to unleash America’s unparalleled ingenuity and world-class productivity.

The first step is getting government off the backs of business and generally out of our lives.  In today’s super charged and divisive political climate anyone suggesting less governmental regulation and less governmental interference is immediately labeled as anti-clean air, anti-clean water or anti-consumer protection.  That is the biggest lie you’ll hear in the clutter of this campaign season.

Just like any one of us, John Raese is committed to an environment that provides safe water, clean fresh air and protected natural areas that can be enjoyed not just now – but by generations of West Virginian’s to come.  John believes in providing jobs that earn a livable wage that can support and nurture a family – to protecting our natural resources and using them to enhance and improve our quality of life – and in the belief that American’s inherently do the right thing and do not need a government looking over their shoulder that uses bloated over-reaching agencies to disrupt the natural flow of business, the undeniable engine that powers our national economy.

If elected to the United States Senate John’s first priority will always be the welfare of West Virginians.  His family has lived here and provided jobs in West Virginia for nearly a century.  He understands that feeling of self-worth and of self-reliance that comes from having a good secure job – and contrary to the apparent beliefs of President Obama and both West Virginia Senators – John knows jobs are created exclusively by businesses, small and large, all across this country.  Pointing out excesses on Wall Street is not only proper, it is the duty of a vigilant government and our elected leaders – but using the bad actions of one industry, or one group, to paint all businesses as if they are somehow against the interests of American’s is not only dangerous – it is just plain wrong.

Government programs that give tax credits for hiring new employees are meaningless if a company doesn’t have the need or the increased market for additional workers.  That is the type of simplistic ideas that come from the Obama/Manchin camp.  They believe that gimmick federal programs somehow will entice business people to act a certain way – do certain things.  Such incentives are naive and are simply designed for stump speeches – sound bites in an election year to give voters the appearance that something, anything, is being done.  The tired ideas generated by Obama and Manchin always wind up with the same result – a bigger government for them and a lighter wallet for you.

Encouraging business begins with a simple tax code.  A competitive tax system that is straightforward and simple enough that we can all understand.  It starts with the idea that we are a country of innovators, scientists, risk takers, developers, artists, craftsmen, conscientious workers, teachers and dedicated students.  That we can finally have a meaningful dialogue about how we are teaching our kids and grandchildren – and how we can devote both the resources and the will to once again establish the American educational system as the very best in the world.

President Obama is right when he talks about the importance of America winning the future but his ideas only include a bigger, more invasive government.  That is a fundamental error and just will not work. The President and Senator Manchin talk in soaring terms about transforming America – but their vision for our country is based on the flawed European model that is crumbling before our eyes.  They have started down a path that will only diminish America and they will do, or say, anything to make you believe it is the only choice we have.

Don’t buy it.

John Raese and millions of Americans from Maine to Hawaii – from Martinsburg to Matewan – are in open revolution to the Obama/Manchin takeover of our way of life and will make their collective voices heard this fall.

Getting America back to work and rebuilding a productive economy that serves everyone requires the effort, hard work and participation of all of us.  Every time this country has been attacked, or has been struck with hardship, we’ve survived and thrived on sheer determination, iron clad discipline and raw effort.  Yet there are some that think America’s time has passed and that we have to accept a decline.

Not John Raese.

John thinks America’s most outstanding years are ahead of us – but only if we make the changes now to unleash business, fortify our education system and free all American’s from crushing personal and governmental debt.

American exceptionalism?  Absolutely.

If you see this great country as a beacon for the world to admire and emulate – a leader in technology, innovation and invention – and an economic engine with no peer on this planet then the choice is crystal clear.  Let President Obama and Senator Manchin know that you’ve heard and seen enough.  Elect John Raese – a proven leader with a track record of creating and providing good jobs in the real world.

A native son and lifelong resident of West Virginia, John has a personal and family track record of creating good jobs in the private sector. Raese serves as president and CEO of Greer Industries, which include Greer Limestone, Greer Lime, Greer Steel and Preston County Coal and Coke. He is also Chairman of the Board of West Virginia Radio Corporation, which owns 25-radio stations across the state and is founder of the respected METRONEWS Radio Network, which has 56-affiliates reaching every part of the state. John is also vice-president of the Dominion Post, a daily Morgantown newspaper with a circulation of approximately 30,000. His newest launch was Pikewood Creative, a high-end video post-production house and creative agency located in the Suncrest district of Morgantown. In 2011 Pikewood won a prestigious Emmy award for creative excellence.

Growing up in University City, the son of the late Jane Greer Raese and former WVU basketball coach Richard A. “Dyke” Raese, John attended public schools and earned a B. S. degree from West Virginia University in 1973 where he played freshman basketball and varsity baseball. His love for the state attracted him to stay after graduation to build upon and grow the family business which has deep roots in West Virginia and beyond. His namesake grandfather started hauling goods with a team of horses in picturesque Davis, West Virginia, before he was able to open a successful general merchandise store. His maternal great-grandfather was one of the most prominent businessmen and community leaders of Dover/New Philadephia, Ohio. His businesswoman grandmother and engineer grandfather, Agnes and Herbert Greer, moved to Morgantown almost a century ago and established the firm foundation that has provided thousands of good jobs for West Virginians for more than half the state’s history.

Despite a long list of business accomplishments throughout a lifetime, John is most proud of his family – wife Liz and two wonderful daughters, Jane and Agnes. Liz is the founder of the Conservative Women of West Virginia, a growing group of activists charting a conservative path for the Mountain State.

An avid sportsman and hunter, John also adopted his father’s love of the game of golf. He cut out a five hundred acre track of Greer land on Monongalia County’s Kingwood Pike, where he designed and developed Pikewood National Golf Club. In 2009 Pikewood earned the distinguished honor of “Best New Private Course” in the nation by Golf Digest Magazine and last year was named one of the world’s top ten “one hit wonders” by Links Magazine joining courses such as Pine Valley, Oakmont and Pebble Beach as the best golf courses designed by a first time architect. John designed Pikewood with fellow Greer executive Bob Gwynne.

John’s background has given him strongly held West Virginia values based on faith, hard work and family. He advocates less government intrusion into our lives and more personal freedom. He remains committed to providing a level playing field and promotes fair competition as essential ingredients to a vibrant, prosperous and growing America.

In 2010 more than 230,000 West Virginians stood with John Raese in opposition to Washington’s take over of our freedoms, fortunes and futures. They backed John’s commitment to both fiscal and personal responsibility.

John Raese is a businessman, a family man and – first and foremost – a West Virginian.

The NRA is you — its members … millions of Americans representing a diverse contrast of age, sex, race and religion. You’re patriots one and all. You believe in the Constitution, staunch in the defense of your rights, and you actively pursue some of this country’s finest traditions – Hunting and Sports Shooting. Since its incorporation in 1871, the NRA has grown as a service organization involved in all aspects of the shooting sports and a proud defender of the Bill of Rights.

“As a member, you’ll have a powerful voice in protecting our Constitution, plus a wide range of benefits that add up to savings, convenience, and fun. Thanks again for your support, and be sure to let us know how we can be of service.”

Wayne LaPierre
NRA Executive Vice President

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A family man with a loving wife and two wonderful children, John believes life is God’s greatest gift. That is why he and his wife Liz are life-long supporters of  West Virginians For Life as well as the Susan B. Anthony list, two fine organizations dedicated to fighting for the rights of the unborn child.

In keeping with his pro-life beliefs, John is also opposed to human cloning as well as federally-funded stem cell research.

In fiscal year 2012 the federal debt will top $16.7-trillion dollars.  When you look closer it’s even worse.  The actual debt held by all of us – the United States public – is $10.8-trillion dollars.  We get it up to nearly $17-trillion in gross debt with the IOU’s owed to the Social Security Trust Fund – money that was set aside for those who earned benefits and paid into the program – but is now being siphoned off at an alarming rate to fund more spending.  This debt has increased by more than a trillion dollars since Senator Manchin took office just a year ago.

Each time President Obama has proposed increased spending Senator Manchin has been a reliable rubber stamp.  When a Republican Balanced Budget Amendment bill came up for a vote Senator Manchin, taking marching orders from the White House, voted NO.  It failed 47-53 in the Senate.  When Democratic colleague Mark Udall put up a version of the bill for political cover Senator Manchin, knowing it would fail, voted YEA.  The measure fell 21-79.

In only his second vote as a Senator, Joe Manchin voted NO to a bill designed to end the unsavory practice of earmarks attached to regular spending bills for pork barrel projects and political slush funds.

John Raese would vote FOR a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U. S. Constitution and vote NO to the budget busting practice of earmarks.

Here’s an example.  An employer with a number of chain restaurants employs nearly 1,000 full time and part time workers.  Each worker generates $58,000 in revenue and that works out to a $3,000 profit per employee when salary, taxes and overhead are deducted.  Under President Obama and Senator Manchin’s new government mandated healthcare program, Obamacare, this employer will be forced to pay between $7,000 and $10,000 more per employee.  You don’t have to be a mathematics genius to understand this will just not work – and will cost jobs.  In fact, the Congressional Budget Office now believes Obamacare will cost the economy more than 800,000 jobs!

According to the Heritage Foundation new taxes, penalties and fees resulting from Obamacare will decrease the amount of investment in the economy.  That reduced investment will in turn lead to a decline of productivity causing the economy to produce $706-billion dollars less in goods and services.

Despite election year statements to the contrary in 2010, Senator Joe Manchin had an opportunity last year to repeal Obamacare but voted NO in lockstep with President Obama.

John Raese stands in direct opposition to Joe Manchin and would vote to repeal Obamacare as a United States Senator.

John is proud of that pioneering heritage and still believes this country offers a wonderful opportunity to anyone who will make the commitment to learn our language, obey our laws and peacefully assimilate into the American society.

Illegal immigration is causing an ever-increasing and unsustainable hardship on our diminishing resources.  Getting back to fiscal responsibility means getting control of our borders.

The numbers are staggering.  It’s estimated that there are nearly 24-million illegal aliens in the United States today.  They have accounted for more than 397-billion dollars in Social Services not counting more than 154-billion dollars in K-12 education costs and another 21-billion dollars for incarcerations.  In time of record high employment, more than 12.5-million skilled jobs are being provided to illegal aliens.

The Arizona legislature enacted the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” in 2010.  It was intended to make it a state misdemeanor crime for an undocumented immigrant to be in Arizona without carrying registration documents as required by federal law – allows state law enforcement officials to enforce federal laws – and cracks down on employers of illegal workers.  Almost immediately the state was sued by the Obama administration to stop implementation of the law.

John salutes Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and her state lawmakers for having the courage to stand-up to both an onslaught of undocumented immigrants and to the clearly misguided Obama administration.

John Raese believes there can be no discussion or solution to this ever-growing problem until the borders of this great country are once again secure.