Bloodless Coup

Stalnaker vs. Facemire (What Brought Down Romano) Was the State's Costliest Senate Contest

I noted earlier that the biggest bit of drama at the state's Democratic convention last week was the defeat of the state party's treasurer. That fight (which the incumbent treasurer lost decisively at in the state party's executive committee, though I believe he was Gov. Manchin's pick) appeared to stem mostly from the treasurer, Mike Romano, working hard to defeat Democratic Rep. Doug Stalnaker (who Romano didn't consider a "real Democrat") in a state senate primary that was held last month. The treasurer was successful in that his candidate, Doug Facemire, beat Stalnaker. And he likely played a major role in that primary being the most expensive in the state this cycle. But of course that success greatly bothered a host of Democrats who were backing Stalnaker, and his activism (bullying?) cost him his party post.