GOP commissioner candidates to run separate campaigns
While the two Democrat nominees for Fayette County commissioner spoke of forging an alliance the day after the May 20 primary election, their Republican counterparts apparently intend to run separate campaigns. But GOP county chairman Christopher D.L. Sepesy said that doesn’t mean the local Republican Party won’t actively promote Joe Hardy and Angela M. Zimmerlink. Sepesy said the two make a formidable team and the GOP remains high on its chances of electing two commissioners for the first time in most people’s memory.
“I think we have a terrific ticket,” said Sepesy. “While it is quite evident that both of our candidates are quite different in their approaches, perhaps, I think it is also quite evident that they are both very qualified. Certainly the voters thought so, too.”
Sepesy said that Zimmerlink has shown a “remarkable dedication to detail, which is very laudable,” and that Hardy “not only can foster economic development – he is economic development.”
However, Hardy, the multimillionaire founder of 84 Lumber Co. and developer of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, and Zimmerlink, a paralegal and paint store owner who serves on the Fayette County Housing Authority board of directors, have not embraced the running-as-a-team concept.
On the Democrat side, incumbent chairman Vincent A. Vicites and former state Sen. J. William Lincoln have expressed a willingness to meet soon to discuss a unified front heading into the November election, where voters will elect three commissioners from the entire field.
In the fall election, voters won’t be bound by party lines – which means Democrats can vote for Republicans and vice versa. With incumbent Democrat Commissioners Ronald M. Nehls and Sean M. Cavanagh endorsing Republican Hardy, and with Cavanagh also endorsing Zimmerlink, many political observers believe the fall campaign isn’t a lock for the Democrats.
Sepesy said that the local GOP hasn’t yet met to devise a strategy, but he assumes it will promote both Hardy and Zimmerlink in any advertising.
“The party is going to be supporting both people who were chosen in the primary election,” said Sepesy. “But we haven’t made any formal decisions yet, regarding strategy. That’s to come.”
Zimmerlink, who serves as a Republican committeewoman in Redstone 1 precinct, said that while she welcomes support from the party, she’s planning to run her own campaign and wants the public to be aware that she’ll be her own spokesperson.
Zimmerlink said it’s also clear that the GOP high command embraced and fully backed only Hardy in the six-way primary election, during which Sepesy misspoke on her behalf by saying that her message included a call to end the stranglehold of labor unions.
“Chris has already misspoken on my behalf, and I want people to know that I’m my own spokesperson,” said Zimmerlink. “I never said that. The Republican Party does not view labor unions as a stranglehold, so he did misspeak the Republican Party’s message.”
Added Zimmerlink, “Before anyone can talk on my behalf, they have to talk to me more than two times in the year 2003. And (Sepesy’s) only talked to me two times this year.”
Sepesy said he doesn’t recall saying anything about ending labor’s stranglehold in regard to Zimmerlink’s campaign. “I don’t recall saying those specific words. But let it be known that everything I have said about Mrs. Zimmerlink and her candidacy has only been positive,’ said Sepesy.
The GOP chairman added that he’s been impressed with her ability to stake out and articulate a solid Republican position.
“Throughout this entire primary, I have said continuously that Mrs. Zimmerlink has given the most pure Republican message in terms of both what the national and state platform has been, and the philosophical platform,” said Sepesy. “I think this is very bold and very refreshing, not only because as a party leader I agree with most of it, but also because it is something that Fayette Countians have not voted for in a long time.”
Added Sepesy, “I have nothing but applause for Mrs. Zimmerlink, in that she is brave enough to (say these things). And I’ll stand by her.”
Reiterating her position that she welcomes support from all corners, Zimmerlink said that while she is thankful for party backing and knows she has some loyal supporters within the GOP’s top ranks, she isn’t banking on Sepesy or the party hierarchy to carry the day for her.
“If the Republican Party is deciding to support me, I support that and would say that they’re finally on the right track. But actions speak louder than words,” said Zimmerlink. “I’ve been an active member for a number of years and I haven’t been pleased with the party leadership for a number of reasons. But I believe the best way to resolve those issues are within the party itself and within our own meetings.
“With that said, I don’t want to be specific and discuss my campaign strategy, but I will say that Chris Sepesy as the chairperson and the local party leaders are not on my list of who I’m going to count on in this November election. But I want to make one point very clear: there are people within the party leadership and membership who do support me, and I welcome their support.”
Zimmerlink said that the two times she’s talked to Sepesy this year, one was following a televised debate on HSTV, when he congratulated her on her showing, and the other was at a candidate’s night in Perryopolis the week before the election, when Sepesy felt the need to show her poll results that predicted a last-place finish for her in the primary election.
“He had me placed as last and said he was showing me this poll in an attempt to save me (campaign) money,” said Zimmerlink. “Seven days before the election and he’s trying to save me money? I can do without that kind of support.”
Zimmerlink said that if the GOP intends to succeed in making inroads in Fayette County – where Democrats hold a 3-to-1 voter registration edge – it must be more supportive of all its candidates regardless of their connections.
“If the Republican Party leaders want to promote good government and a better Fayette County, then what they need to do is get rid of the, ‘Who do you know?’ mentality, the ‘Who did you dine with last night?’ and the ‘How many favors can we exchange?'” said Zimmerlink. “When you get rid of all that, that’s when you’ll have good Fayette County government.”
Kim Ward, Hardy’s campaign manager, said that during the entire campaign, Hardy thought that Zimmerlink was very informed on the issues. “He’s said that if they’re both elected, he would be very pleased to serve with her,” said Ward.