Hoyer: Barth's ties to Byrd can deliver infrastructure dollars to W.Va.

Capito campaign calls Martinsburg event a 'political ploy'

September 23, 2008|By MATTHEW UMSTEAD

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Anne Barth, the Democratic nominee vying to unseat U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito in November, received a ringing endorsement Monday from U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who touted Barth's ties to U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd's success in bringing federal infrastructure dollars back to West Virginia.

"Anne Barth knows how to deliver," Hoyer, a 28-year Democratic congressman from Maryland's 5th district, said in Martinsburg.

Barth, flanked by Hoyer and Martinsburg Mayor George Karos for what was billed as a discussion on infrastructure, didn't mention Capito by name, but criticized funding shortfalls for roads, bridges and other needs she said were essential to spur economic development.

"We have arrived at the point where unwise fiscal policies and misguided priorities in Washington in recent years have jeopardized our infrastructure system and caused many parts of that system to get decayed or begin to crumble," Barth said.

She also cited a deadly bridge collapse last year in the Midwest and statistics highlighting West Virginia's unmet needs for wastewater treatment, dam repairs and deficient bridges.

"Clearly, we have not been making infrastructure the priority it needs to be," said Barth, who was Byrd's state director for 21 years before stepping down to run against Capito.

Capito's campaign spokesman Kent Gates, in a news release Monday afternoon, said that Capito in her eight years in Washington had worked on obtaining funding for a number of key infrastructure projects in West Virginia, including $500,000 for the Raleigh Street extension in Martinsburg, $400,000 to address flooding issues in Inwood, W.Va., and $3 million for the Shepherdstown bridge replacement project.

"Anne Barth staged an event today that was nothing more than a political ploy to draw attention to her campaign," Gates said in a news release. "She owes every person invited an apology for attempting to use them and their positions for political gain."

Barth, Hoyer and Karos were joined at a U-shaped table in the Shenandoah Hotel by Jefferson County Commissioner Jim Surkamp, Charles Town councilwoman Ann Paonessa, Berkeley Springs Mayor Susan Webster, Jefferson County Del. John Doyle, Berkeley County Magistrate Jim Humphrey, former state Sen. Herb Snyder, former Del. Clarence E. "CEM" Martin III and 58th district House of Delegates candidate Tiffany Lawrence.

"I think Anne Barth has a genuine chance of defeating Shelley Moore Capito this year," Doyle said after the 30-minute discussion, which came after a fundraiser at the historic hotel. "Clearly, she's the strongest candidate we as Democrats have nominated - without question."

Barth's spokesman Talley Sergent said the Democratic candidate's campaign was "fast approaching" $1 million in contributions as of Monday.

More information about Barth's campaign is on the Internet at www.annebarthforcongress.com

Capito's campaign is on the Internet at www.shelleymoorecapito.com.

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