Associated Press Published

Bill Cole: West Virginia Needs 'Full-Time Governor'

Bill Cole, Jeff Kessler

Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Cole says West Virginia needs a full-time governor to address the state’s challenges.

His comments Thursday at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual business meeting at the Greenbrier Resort were in reference to Democratic opponent Jim Justice.

Justice owns the Greenbrier and told the meeting earlier he owns 102 businesses.

Cole is the state Senate president who owns car dealerships in West Virginia and Kentucky. He says West Virginia has “full-time problems that require full-time solutions” and needs a “full-time governor” committed to moving the state forward.

Justice says voters who question how he can be governor with his many commitments should know he’s very organized.

Justice says Cole doesn’t have the experience, the expertise or the contacts to be a successful governor.