The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC), an organization representing more than 250,000 West Virginia employees across 26 separate industry categories, has endorsed Earl Ray Tomblin for Governor in the upcoming special general election on Oct. 4, organization officials announced today.
Jan Vineyard, chairman of BIC, said, “As America again teeters on the brink of recession and with our state’s financial outlook looking better by the quarter, West Virginia needs a governor with proven leadership and a deep understanding of the budgetary and policy issues we face. Earl Ray Tomblin is best prepared and best suited to lead us into the future.”
Vineyard cited Tomblin’s work to combat the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s unfair and anticompetitive policies on mining, his efforts to lure a billion dollar ethane processing facility, the paving and construction of many miles of roadway through the state and passing legislation to further lower the sales tax on food, as proactive initiatives that are benefiting all West Virginians.
“West Virginia has seen steady economic growth, greater transparency in government and decreases in both business and consumers taxes under Earl Ray Tomblin’s tenure as Senate President and Acting Governor,” Vineyard said. “While much more work remains to be done, Earl Ray Tomblin has the experience and leadership ability to move the state forward.”