Holding Office Not 'Rocket Science' Says 17-year old Primary Winner

A 17-year-old West Virginia high school senior defeated a 66-year-old incumbent lawmaker who was seeking a third term in the state's House of Delegates, the Washington Post reports.

In an 872-vote to 728-vote victory, Saira Blair beat Larry Kump and will run against Democratic nominee Layne Diehl this fall for one of 100 two-year-term seats.

"I'm really thankful that the people are willing to give me a chance regardless of my age," the young Republican told the Herald-Mail newspaper. "I really want to work to prove to the people that I can do this."

Her Martinsburg-area district is largely Republican, and the Washington Post reports she is favored to win.

Politics is all in the family for Blair, who graduates from high school next month and turns 18 on July 11. Her father, Craig Blair, is a state senator.

In her campaign, Blair wrote: "I am a Fiscal Conservative. I'm Pro-Life. I'm Pro-Marriage. I'm Pro-Family. I'm Pro-Second Amendment. I'm Pro-Business. I'm Pro-Jobs and I'm Pro-West Virginia! I will not compromise on these beliefs."
 
Talking about her win, Blair said, "I think I'm fully capable of doing the job, and I don't think it's rocket science by any means — not if you just listen to the people."

Meanwhile, West Virginia is poised to get its first female U.S. senator this fall after women won both the Democratic and GOP primaries on Tuesday.

Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will take on Democrat Natalie Tennant, the state's secretary of state.


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