Chafin
CHARLESTON -- Letitia "Tish" Chafin has signed Frederick Yang, partner at Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group, as the pollster for her 2012 Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia campaign.
"I'm excited about opportunity to help elect Letitia Chafin to the Supreme Court. She has an impressive background and strong credentials on a number of fronts, and she brings the judgment and integrity that is needed," Yang said in a release from Chafin's campaign. "I am eager to join this strong team in support of a strong candidate."
Yang is hailed by Campaigns & Elections Magazine for "his ability to master the local nuances of a race." Additionally, Roll Call named him as one of 10 Democratic consultants on its list of "Consultants Who Make A Difference."
Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group is the political division of Hart Research Associates. The firm has a tradition of working for West Virginia Democrats, counting among its clients Robert Byrd, Jay Rockefeller and Gaston Caperton, among others. Hart Research also conducts the bipartisan NBC News/Wall Street Journal national survey.
"I am honored Mr. Yang has joined the campaign," Chafin said in her release. "He has worked to elect numerous statewide officials, including United States senators and governors.
"He will be an asset to my campaign team."
Yang joins the Chafin campaign team along with Cynthia Majestro, who serves as Campaign Manager, the Honorable W. Kent Carper who chairs the campaign committee, Oshel Craigo who chairs the fundraising committee, Anthony Majestro who serves as the campaign attorney and Chuck Smith who serves as campaign treasurer.
Chafin is one of six Democratic candidates seeking two spots in this spring's primary. Joining her are current Justice Robin Jean Davis, circuit judges J.D. Beane and Jim Rowe, current Supreme Court law clerk Louis Palmer and New Martinsville attorney H. John "Buck" Rogers.
Circuit Judge John Yoder and current state Supreme Court law clerk Allen Loughry are the Republicans running.
The primary election is May 8, and the general election is Nov. 6.