Phillip Hudok
HUTTONSVILLE, W.Va. — West Virginians will have a fifth choice for governor in the November general election.
Phillip Hudok, of Huttonsville, has collected more than the 6,645 signatures required to be placed on the November ballot as a Constitution Party candidate.
Hudok joins fellow Constitution Party office-seekers Darrell Castle and Scott Bradley, who are running for president and vice president, respectively.
“People have a proven champion of Christian principles with a message of no compromise on constitutional rule-of-law issues,” Hudok said in a press release. “At a time when the family and Christians are under brutal attack, we cannot afford to abandon the original intent and Christian heritage of America.”
“Failed government programs are repeatedly presented as the answer to our dilemma,” Hudok continued. “However, the nine most dangerous words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.'”
Hudok said his primary reason for seeking office this term is the violation of the basic rules-of-law set for in the Constitution.
“We aren’t following the Constitution,” Hudok said. “I had a case before the state Supreme Court that said our Constitution has been basically suspended since 1933.”
“They summarily dismissed the case, but did not address the issues. The Emergency Banking Act of 1933 gave the president dictatorial power, but it only was supposed to be until it was terminated by a president (later on),” Hudok added. “When people are upset and saying the president is violating the Constitution in numerous ways, in reality, he is not, because he has those powers (because of the Emergency Banking Act).”
Hudok also notes, on a federal level, that’s why the U.S. is always at war.
“I was born in 1950,” he said. “We have had 17 wars since then. Eighty-five percent of my life, we have been at war, even if it was a police action, bombings or shootings. The last constitutionally declared war was World War II.”
On a state level, Hudok has several ideas that may serve to end the ever-growing deficit, including legalizing marijuana.
“I’m for legalizing marijuana,” Hudok said. “Not necessarily for the budget, although I think hemp should be the state’s No. 1 cash crop. People should have the responsibility and freedom to put in their bodies whatever they want.”
As for West Virginia’s educational woes, Hudok said they are self-inflicted, but there is a simple remedy.
“I don’t think (education) is so much of an economic issues as much as it’s a flawed system because of unfunded mandates,” he said. “It’s because of some crazy policies. Testing, there is a lot of money wasted on so much testing. I see a lot of waste, and it’s because of the federal government and the monies (the state government) receives for education.”
“It is our own fault, because we are prostituting ourselves to get the money from federal grants,” Hudok added. “We need to stop taking the money and get the federal government out of education.”
Hudok has been successful in several West Virginia Supreme Court cases in recent years involving state government issues. He also said he has continued to set a precedent in fighting the burgeoning police state.
“It is time to reign in government and return to a culture under Godly principles, the principles that built a mighty nation,” Hudok said in a press release. “People are encouraged to become more informed.”
Overall, Hudok advocates for a less-is-more approach when governing and the reintroduction of good, solid moral values.
“You can’t have a moral society and muzzle churches,” Hudok said. “We have everything upside down. I’m the only candidate that has those views, and I’m not afraid of being politically incorrect. I believe being politically incorrect is killing this country.”
“The federal government has their grubby fingers in this, telling us we need them and can’t live without them,” he added. “They are bankrupt and telling us we need them. There is something wrong with that picture. I serve God first, and worry about my children. I felt compelled to run for governor. I don’t think anyone else has the message that I have. I tell people they have a chance to make a powerful statement by voting for me, and I feel privileged to do that.”
For additional information about Hudok’s candidacy, visit www.hudok.com or Phillip Hudok on Facebook.
Other gubernatorial candidates in the Nov. 8 general election are: Republican Bill Cole, Democrat Jim Justice, Libertarian David Moran and Mountain Party candidate Charlotte Pritt.