Associated Press Published

Delegate Officially Withdraws from Re-Election Race

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A Kanawha County state delegate has officially withdrawn her re-election bid.

West Virginia secretary of state spokesman Jake Glance confirmed Monday that Republican Suzette Raines has withdrawn.

Raines said in a text message to reporters Monday that she needed time to heal after her mother’s death in March. Raines also cited the end of an engagement after a long-term relationship.

The Kanawha GOP requested a replacement candidate Monday. The State Election Commission would need to approve. Kanawha GOP hasn’t picked its candidate.

The state Democratic Executive Committee filed a complaint against Raines in Kanawha County Circuit Court on July 21. The complaint alleged Raines doesn’t live where she claims.

It also alleged that Raines hasn’t filed several campaign finance reports or a financial disclosure report, and didn’t sign previous disclosures.