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Natalie Tennant
| Natalie Tennant | ||
 | ||
| West Virginia Secretary of State | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| January 19, 2009 - Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| 2017 | ||
| Years in position | 4 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Predecessor | Betty Ireland (R) | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $95,000 | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 4, 2008 | |
| Next election | November 8, 2016 | |
| Campaign $ | $624,940 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| High school | North Marion High School | |
| Bachelor's | West Virginia University | |
| Master's | West Virginia University | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | December 25, 1967 | |
| Place of birth | Fairview, WV | |
| Profession | Journalism | |
| Religion | Christian | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Personal website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
Contents |
Tennant won re-election on November 6, 2012, easily defeating Republican state Rep. Brian Savilla by a margin of 62.4 percent to 37.6 percent.[3]
Prior to her election, Tennant co-owned Wells Media Group LLC, a video production and media training company. She made an unsuccessful bid for governor in the 2011 special election, coming in third in the Democratic primary, with 17.3 percent.[3]
Biography
Natalie Tennant was born and raised on a farm in Fairview, West Virginia (Marion County) to John and Rose Mary Tennant, the youngest of seven siblings. Both her parents and four of her brothers and sisters are teachers, so it was only natural that when she started her collegial career at West Virginia University pursuing a major in education. Over time, however, Tennant came to the realization that she had a deep passion for telling stories, especially positive ones about the people and places of West Virginia, which led her to alter her major to journalism. In 1990, she was selected as the first - and to date only - female to represent the University as the Mountaineer Mascot.
After graduation, Natalie Tennant started her broadcast career working as a television anchor and reporter at WBOY-TV in Clarksburg and WCHS-TV in Charleston. Prior to her taking office in January 2009, both she and her husband co-owned Wells Media Group LLC, a business that specialized in media training and video production. She also serves on the board of directors for the American Heart Association and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Education
- Bachelor's degree, Journalism, West Virginia University
- Master's degree, Corporate & organizational communication, West Virginia University
Political career
West Virginia Secretary of State (2009-Present)
Tennant first ran for the office of West Virginia Secretary of State in 2004, losing in the Democratic primary election to Ken Hechler by 1,118 votes. She ran again in 2008, this time beating out then-Democratic House of Delegates Majority Leader Joe DeLong and then-West Virginia State Senator Billy Bailey for the Democratic nomination.
In July 2009, the president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R), appointed Tennant and Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett (R) as co-chairs of the Standing Committee on Voter Participation. The responsibilities of the organization include “reviewing NASS partnerships with voter outreach groups and improving communication between states regarding voting practices.” [4]
On Thursday, January 18, 2011, Tennant announced her candidacy in the special election contest for governor in 2011. [5] Tennant lost the May 14, 2011 primary, placing 3rd.
Internet voting
Tennant's husband, Erik Wells, a Democratic state senator and a U.S. Navy Reserve lieutenant commander, encountered such difficulty trying to vote while deployed in Afghanistan that he ultimately decided to fax his ballot to the U.S., thereby forfeiting his right to anonymity. This incident, as well as West Virginia's outdated, archiveless, paper-based system, spurred Tennant to initiate some upgrades designed to make office operations more time and cost efficient. One thing she did was run a pilot online program in 2010 that allowed 179 deployed West Virginian servicemen to vote "as easily as if they were shopping on Amazon."[6] The problem with electronic voting went beyond violating a voter's constitutional right to discretion, however. While touring the country on behalf of the internet-voting cause, Tennant was faced with a bigger problem, publicized by graduate students at the University of Michigan: The online voting system is too vulnerable to getting hacked.
Byrd senate seat
In the wake of the death of Robert C. Byrd, long-time Democratic member of the United States Senate and controversial political figure, both on and off Capitol Hill, the fate of his vacant seat had been left in limbo for over a week. Byrd, who had for a number of years been in frail health, passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, June 28, 2010. [7] At the time of his death, the late-senator had about thirty months left in his term, which was set to expire on January 3, 2013. Under state law, Governor Joe Manchin is given the authority to name an "interim successor until an election can be held;" had Byrd died after Saturday, July 3, 2010, he would have been able to have appointed someone to serve the entire balance of the unexpired term. [8]
But even in this regard, there were issues of concern among political scholars, such as when a vacancy could actually be declared. The biggest area of contention, however, was over when a special election could be called. [9] According to the West Virginia Code of Appointments §3-10-4, "“If the unexpired term of any office is for a longer period than [30 months], the appointment is until a successor to the office has timely filed a certificate of candidacy, has been nominated at the primary election next following such timely filing and has thereafter been elected and qualified to fill the unexpired term.” [10] The state held its primary in May for the 2010 election cycle and won't hold another for two years.
Later, on the same day as Byrd's death, Secretary of State Tennant argued that "state election law does not allow the state to hold an election to fill Byrd's seat until Election Day on Nov. 6, 2012," though it does authorize the governor to appoint a successor until that time. [11] [12] After a firestorm of protests, she suggested that if the governor wanted to hold the election prior to 2012 then he would have to call for a special session of the state legislature to correct the issue. [13]
Controversies
Secretary of State Project
- See also: Secretary of State Project
The Center for Public Integrity reported in September 2008 that Tennant received both the endorsement and financial assistance (nearly $1,000) from the Secretary of State Project, a below-the-radar 527 political organization whose purpose is to "wrestling control of the country from the Republican Party" through the process of "removing their political operatives from deciding who can vote and whose votes will count," namely the office of Secretary of State in many cases. [14] [15]
Elections
2012
Tennant defended her seat in the 2012 election. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, and defeated Republican challenger Brian Savilla in the general election on November 6, 2012.[16] Savilla is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates.
| West Virginia Secretary of State General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Natalie Tennant Incumbent |
62.4% | 339,235 | |
| Republican | Brian Savilla | 37.6% | 204,440 | |
| Total Votes | 543,675 | |||
| Election Results West Virginia Secretary of State Election Results Center. | ||||
2011
West Virginia was not scheduled to hold a gubernatorial election until 2012. However, elected Democrat Joe Manchin gave up the seat to join the U.S. Senate in the 2010 midterms. Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, also a Democrat, took over the office as West Virginia does not have a lieutenant governor.
Disputed election date
In early 2011, a Supreme Court battle ensued about when to elect the next Governor of West Virginia.
Citizen Action Group and local attorney Thorton Cooper said the state Constitution and state code disagree, and a special election for governor should be called quickly. Attorneys for Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and House Speaker Richard Thompson disagree whether an election should be called. Secretary of State Tennant‘s legal counsel took a neutral position.
Kathryn Bayless, counsel for CAG, said only the court could require the Legislature and Tomblin to act, and that an election is needed as soon as possible. Bayless argued that article 7 section 16 of the Constitution is clear there “shall” be a “new” election for governor in event of an absence.
“The people of West Virginia want a new election, and that is what the Constitution provides for,” Bayless said.
“What would you have us do in respect to President Tomblin and the Speaker,” asked Justice Brent Benjamin. “What would you have us mandate those two individuals do? You have us mandate those two individuals to legislate?”
“No sir, I would mandate a new election be conducted as soon as practical, and I believe the court has the authority to do that,” Bayless said.[17]
Issues
Environment
Speaking about her 2011 gubernatorial platform, Tennant endorsed using severance taxes from the Marcellus Shale for technology and education, and also expressed a willingness to enact more regulations and environmental guidelines surrounding the shale.[18]
| 2011 Race for Governor - Democratic Primary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
| Jeffrey V. Kessler | 5.30% | |||
| Arnie Moltis | 0.38% | |||
| John D. Perdue | 12.54% | |||
| Natalie E. Tenant | 17.30% | |||
| Richard "Rick" Thompson | 24.11% | |||
 Earl Ray Tomblin
|
40.37% | |||
| Total votes | 126,888 | |||
2008
| 2008 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary [19] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party |  Natalie Tennant
|
51.4% | |
| Democratic Party | Joe DeLong | 35.8% | |
| Democratic Party | Billy Wayne Bailey | 12.8% | |
| Total Votes | 335,624 | ||
| 2008 Race for Secretary of State - General Election [20] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Natalie Tennant
|
65.0% | |
| Republican Party | Charles Minimah | 35.0% | |
| Total Votes | 667,885 | ||
2004
| 2004 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary [21] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Ken Hechler
|
25.7% | |
| Democratic Party | Natalie Tennant | 25.3% | |
| Democratic Party | Mike Oliverio | 20.2% | |
| Democratic Party | Roger Pritt | 15.7% | |
| Democratic Party | Larrie Bailey | 6.8% | |
| Democratic Party | Donna J. Acord | 3.6% | |
| Democratic Party | George Daugherty | 2.7% | |
| Total Votes | 260,580 | ||
Campaign contributions
Comprehensive donor information for Tennant is available dating back to 2004. Based on available campaign finance records, Tennant raised a total of $624,940 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 7, 2013.[22]
| Natalie Tennant's Campaign Contribution History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| 2012 | WV Secretary of State | |
$37,915 | |
| 2011 | West Virginia Governor |  |
$408,361 | |
| 2010 | WV Secretary of State |  |
$0 | |
| 2008 | WV Secretary of State | |
$139,291 | |
| 2004 | WV Secretary of State | |
$39,373 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $624,940 | |||
2012
Tennant won re-election to the position of West Virginia Secretary of State in 2012. During that election cycle, Tennant raised a total of $37,915.
| West Virginia Secretary of State 2012 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Natalie Tennant's campaign in 2012 | ||||
| Vote Wells | $2,000 | |||
| West Virginia AFL-CIO | $2,000 | |||
| West Virginia Building & Construction Trades Council | $2,000 | |||
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | $2,000 | |||
| West Virginia Federation of Teachers | $2,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2012 | $37,915 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
2008
Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of Natalie Tennant's donors each year.[23] Click [show] for more information.
| Natalie Tennant's Campaign Contributions | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 West Virginia Secretary of State | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Raised | $139,291 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Raised by General Election Opponent | $13,937 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Top 5 contributors | American Electric Power | $2,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sunnygail Stowers and Lyle Stowers | $2,000 each | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lena Shell and Robert Shell, Jr. | $2,000 each | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lora Johnstone and Kent Carper | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mary Prim and Michael Kieschnick | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Individuals | $115,928 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Institutions | $20,950 | ||||||||||||||||||
| In-state donations | $117,781 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-state donations | $21,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
Personal
She is married to former news anchor and current state senator for the 8th Congressional District, Erik Wells. They have one child together.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
Secretary of State
Building 1, Suite 157-K
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305-0770
Phone: (304) 558-6000
Toll Free Phone: (866) 767-8683
Fax: (304) 558-0900
E-mail: wvsos@wvsos.com
E-mail: info@natalietennant.com
Recent News
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term "Natalie + Tennant + West + Virginia"
- All stories may not be relevant to this candidate due to the nature of the search engine.
Natalie Tennant News Feed
- Natalie Tennant leads WV poll of potential Democratic US Senate candidates - State Journal
- West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant tours the co - WVVA TV ... - WVVA TV
- Tennant, Denver speak at Mullens chamber gala - Wycoreport
- Tide rolls through graduation! - The Coal Valley News
- WV Secretary of State Tennant to moderate national panel - State Journal
- Wind can't prevent start of Strawberry Festival - The Inter-Mountain
- Shepherdstown Observer publisher's case against Tennant dismissed - West Virginia Record
- Independent files to run for Senate in West Virginia - The Hill (blog)
- Secretary of State educates civic students - Martinsburg Journal
- WVU awards honorary doctorate to former secretary of state - State Journal
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See also
External links
- Official West Virginia Secretary of State website
- Natalie Tennant's Facebook Profile
- Natalie Tennant's Twitter Account
- Natalie Tennant for WV Secretary of State Campaign website
- Follow Tennant's campaign on Twitter
- Tennant on LinkedIn
- Project Vote Smart - Natalie Tennant biography
- PBS interview with Tennant on internet voting, February 16, 2012
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2004
References
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Biography," accessed April 29, 2013
- ↑ The Register Herald, "Natalie Tennant - Secretary of state promotes women's role in W.Va.," March 17, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, " Election results center," accessed April 29, 2013
- ↑ WOWK Channel 13 "Secretary of State Natalie Tennant Appointed Co-Chair of National Committee" 21 July 2009
- ↑ WVNS-TV Tennant Announces Candidacy for Governor" 18 Jan. 2010
- ↑ PBS.org, "Internet Voting: Will Democracy or Hackers Win?", February 16, 2012
- ↑ Yahoo! News "West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd dead at 92" 28 June, 2010
- ↑ Politico "West Virginia law murky on Robert Byrd succession" 29 June, 2010
- ↑ West Virginia Watchdog "Effort to Appoint Byrd Replacement Turning Into Game of Clue" 28 June, 2010
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State - West Virginia Code of Appointments
- ↑ Washington Post "Byrd special election to be held in 2012" 28 June, 2010
- ↑ The Charleston Gazette "McGraw ready to give opinion on Byrd successor -- if asked" 5 July, 2010
- ↑ Boston Herald "Natalie Tennant seeks to clarify W.Va.’s succession law" 3 July, 2010
- ↑ Center for Public Integrity: Paper Trial Blog "Election '08: Scoring Secretary of State Seats for Dems" 8 Sept. 2008
- ↑ American Spectator "SOS in Minnesota" 7 Nov. 2008
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State "Election Results" Accessed November 6, 2012
- ↑ "W.Va. Supreme Court Hears Arguments for Gubernatorial Special Election," West Virginia Watchdog, January 12, 2011
- ↑ 'The Register-Herald, "Gubernatorial candidate profiles: Democrat Natalie Tennant", April 25, 2011
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State - 2008 Democratic Primary Election Results
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State - 2008 General Election Results
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State - 2004 Democratic Primary Election Results
- ↑ Follow the Money, " Career fundraising for Natalie Tennant," accessed May 7, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money.org
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Betty Ireland (R) |
West Virginia Secretary of State 2009 - present |
Succeeded by NA |
| |||||||||||||||||||
- Candidates for statewide constitutional offices, West Virginia, 2011
- Gubernatorial candidate, Democratic Party, 2011 (lost in primary)
- West Virginia
- Current Democratic secretary of state
- Current West Virginia secretary of state
- Current secretaries of state
- Democratic Party
- 2012 incumbent
- State executive candidate, 2012
- Secretary of State candidate, 2012
- 2012 unopposed primary
- 2012 general election (winner)
