And Now There Are Three

Two days after Gov. Joe Manchin filed for re-election with much fanfare, opponents lined up against him for the Democratic primary and as the potential GOP nominee, The Associated Press reports.

"Republican Russ Weeks said he decided to run to give voters a choice, and because they 'must hear the truth about state government,'" the AP article said. "Delegate Mel Kessler (D-Raleigh), meanwhile, said he's been spurred on by what he called the governor's heavy-handed dealings with the Legislature and such key constituent groups as seniors and teachers."

Each expressed dissatisfaction with Manchin's performance. Kessler told AP that "I think we need a governor who realizes there are three branches of government... I’m running on the premise that the guy’s beat himself.’’

Weeks was also critical of much of the rest of the state's administration.

‘‘There are a lot of people in government today that I hope are scared,’’ AP quoted him as saying. ‘‘They know that I know where the skeletons are buried.’’

Manchin's reaction? "As always, he focuses on running for the office, not against any other candidate," spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg told AP.

The Register-Herald is on top of the story, with the Beckley newspaper offering separate articles on Weeks' and Kessler's candidacies. MetroNews also offers separates of Weeks and Kessler (with audio of Weeks). The Charleston Gazette also has coverage, as does WSAZ (with video of Kessler) and WVNS-TV (with video).