(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Sistersville resident Dorman Ash, left, talks with West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the Republican candidate for governor, during a campaign stop at The Fort restaurant in Sistersville on Oct. 23. In the background seated is Ash’s wife, Martha Ash.

SISTERSVILLE – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the Republican candidate for governor, visited his supporters and patrons at The Fort restaurant in Sistersville on Oct. 23.

The stop was part of Morrisey’s ongoing campaign tour before the Nov. 5 General Election that pits him against Democrat challenger Steven Williams, who is mayor of Huntington.

While waiting for his arrival, Sistersville resident Connie Cline, a retired school cook, said she planned to vote for Morrisey because he is a Republican. But she still had some issues she wanted him to address including Medicaid, roads, jobs, and a power plant plan in Pleasants County.

“Basically he’s a Republican and I want someone in there who’s going to stand for West Virginia and keep us out of the Federal government’s mess. That’s my goal. … I hope that he runs his campaign with honesty and integrity and is open with the people of West Virginia. Don’t hide what’s going on in this state like the Federal government does with the Biden administration,” she said.

“We don’t ever hear from our president. I think if he’s going to be governor he’s going to constantly inform people what’s going on in our state, and what he’s going to do to make it better. We have to bring businesses in here and taxes lowered and incentives for growth. And we need roads.”

Friendly resident Cathy Weekley said she is supporting Morrisey because she believes he has done a good job as attorney general for West Virginia.

“Mainly I think we need everything Republican right now so our country can change. … I feel like he will do a good job,” she said.

After visiting with the candidate, Weekley said she was pleasantly surprised and thankful that Morrisey paid for her takeout food from the restaurant.

Following the event, Morrisey said he was happy to be back in Tyler County.

“We’re barnstorming across West Virginia and the people of Tyler County have always been very kind to me,” he said.

“We talked a little about the natural gas and energy resource issues. People asked about the management of the tax department and the tax fights that have gone back and forth.

“The importance of having a strong office and administering the law the right way. Most important is that people want to know that someone is listening to them and that they’re hearing the concerns of what is happening in Tyler County.

“They talked about jobs and a state government that’s responsive to them. They talked about the drug epidemic and how important it is that we focus on that.”

A local farmer also quipped that he wished Morrisey could do a “rain dance” to help bring more water to his crops. The region and state suffered a drought this summer.

Also in attendance during the stop was West Virginia Delegate David Kelly, R-W.Va., and Tyler County Commissioners Lance Hickman and Mike Smith.