The Charleston Gazette: Glen Gainer is solid choice in W.Va.’s First District

 — *** Newspaper Endorsement Week 2014 ***—

We hope voters in the northern one-third of West Virginia break the Republican grip on that region in Congress. If they end the GOP domination and send Democrat Glen B. Gainer III, of Parkersburg, to Washington, perhaps it would help ease the hopeless ideological deadlock that keeps Congress paralyzed, unable to accomplish anything of consequence. Gainer has pledged that his top priority would be to seek bipartisan compromise on Capitol Hill.

Gainer is a longtime West Virginia public official. His father was elected state auditor repeatedly in the 1970s and ‘80s — then the son won six four-year terms in the state bookkeeping post in every election since 1992.

He has served West Virginians well. For example, he developed widespread usage of special “p-cards” that simplify small-scale state purchases and save taxpayers an estimated $145 million per year — an amazing sum.

Switching his attention to Washington, Gainer has denounced “inversions,” clever ploys by U.S. corporations to create foreign headquarters and thus dodge billions in U.S. taxes. He called the strategy “a despicable, disloyal and dishonorable scheme that is an affront to U.S. taxpayers.”

Gainer said the Republican Party “has repeatedly blocked efforts to close these tax loopholes and penalize companies who move U.S. jobs overseas and who stash billions of dollars in offshore accounts.” He challenged his opponent, incumbent Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., to return $9,250 he was given by Mylan Pharmaceuticals while Mylan was devising an “inversion” to Holland.

As for McKinley, he has accomplished little in Washington — except for absurdities like his amendment to forbid the U.S. military to prepare for global warming. In a clumsy attempt to serve the coal industry, McKinley would block intelligent planning in the interests of national defense. For example, the Navy couldn’t get ready for sea rise at its coastal bases. His amendment passed the GOP-controlled House, but has no chance in the U.S. Senate.

We endorse Gainer in the Nov. 4 election (for which early voting begins Oct. 22). We hope he gets a chance to work against Washington’s gridlock.

Both he and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, who is running for U.S. Senate, are at midpoint in their state terms. If they win Nov. 4, replacements must be appointed to fill their state posts. We hope the task becomes necessary.