On Last Week's Homecoming Parade

It was not surprising to see Mike Azinger driving his pickup truck with his own campaign signs mounted on it in the August 15^th Parkersburg Homecoming parade. What was surprising, of course, was seeing my opponent, Charlie Hartzog, riding in the truck bed, waving his own campaign sign.

While the primary demonstrated that Charlie is riding on the back of Governor Morrisey, it was interesting to learn that he is also riding the tailgate of Mike Azinger. But why?

Campaign finance reports from the primary and 1^st Quarter show that Hartzog shouldn’t be hurting for cash:

• $1,776 from Geoff Foster of Winfield, West Virginia on 3/20/26

• $2,800 from Denise Morrisey (Governor Morrisey’s Wife) of Charleston, West Virginia on 3/23/26

• $2,800 from Blue & Gold PAC (Associated with Governor Morrisey) on 4/14/26

• $2,800 from Stefan Gleason of Eagle, Idaho on 4/23/26

I chose to enjoy the parade from my front porch with my family, as my daughter was in town to visit. I will use my campaign resources to reach out to voters in the 12^th District in more direct ways.

Stephen Thomas Smith