Democratic candidate seeks nomination for W.Va. State Senate seat in May primary

The former prosecuting attorney of Cabell County and former circuit court judge will run for the District 5 State Senate seat.

Democrat John Leslie Cummings, who resides in Milton, W.Va, said he believes he can make a difference with the people of Cabell and Wayne Counties.

"I don't believe in change just for the sake of change," Cummings said. "I feel I can represent the people of this area better than the current senator."

The current senator of District 5 is Evan Jenkins, who is also a Democrat. Jenkins has been in the position since 2002.

Cummings has a long history of public service and elected positions. He began practicing law in 1970 after graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law, according to his campaign Web site.

He practiced in the Huntington area until he was elected as the prosecuting attorney of Cabell County in 1976. He had that position until 1990, when he was appointed to be a circuit court judge by Gov. Gaston Caperton.

After retiring in 2008, he decided to run for the State Senate and has since been working toward that goal.

Cummings said he is very concerned about jobs in the district.

"I am trying to get as many jobs in this area as possible," Cummings said. "I want to create jobs by using tax incentives as well as creating more public service projects."

Health services is a major point of concern for Cummings. The fact that Huntington is recognized as one of the unhealthiest cities in America does not sit well with the candidate.

"We need to have continuing education for adults that includes what to eat, how to cook and how to exercise," Cummings said. "We can teach people different activities and promote exercise to the people."

He said he wants to have a meeting at Marshall University to hear some of the concerns of the students.

"I hope students get out and vote," Cummings said. "I want to be a representative of the students, so I hope they consider me as someone representing all members of the public. I have a people-oriented philosophy, and that is a different philosophy than is currently being used."

The campaign is expensive, and Cummings has been doing a lot of fundraising lately.

"I don't know how much we are going to raise," Cummings said. "I do know that whatever the number is, we are going to make it work."

At best guess, Cummings said a campaign will run somewhere from $110,000 to $130,000. He said he has been using some television and radio advertising but that the best way is to advertise in person.

"I go door-to-door, introduce myself and let people know what I am about," Cummings said. "I intend to represent all of the people instead of just a select few."

Troy Hemingway can be contacted at hemingway@marshall.edu.