TALLMANSVILLE, WV — In a press release published on Wednesday, Sen. Robert Karnes expressed his gratefulness in having the opportunity to represent the 11th state senatorial district.
“Thank you for the privilege of serving as your State Senator for these last four years. It has been an honor to be a part of the change that is sweeping over West Virginia. We’ve made changes that will not be undone. We have shown a better path forward and Mountaineers have embraced it.
I particularly can’t thank enough those that have worked so hard on my behalf during this primary campaign. Clearly there are many who understand the stakes, and what we are fighting for. The outcome is obviously not what we desired. I take all of the blame for that, you have been magnificent.
For voters this was a tough choice filled with an enormous amount of misinformation but the majority of Republicans and conservatives saw through that misinformation and we won more votes in this primary than in the last by a large number. What we couldn’t anticipate was the large influx, more than 2500, of the far left into a Republican primary. We have open primaries and this is always a possibility. It’s how RINO’s get elected.
Deciding to run for re-election was a hard decision for my family and myself. Being in the legislature takes an enormous amount of time. For my family, this outcome is very liberating. We will have more time together as a family and I will be able to focus more energy in growing my businesses.
I simply cannot express the gratitude I feel for those who supported me, volunteered for me, and voted for me.
Our state is totally worth the effort.
– Robert”
Karnes was defeated by Del. Bill Hamilton (R-45) in the Republican primary.