After a landslide victory on Tuesday, Saira Blair, an 18-year-old fiscal conservative, will become West Virginia's youngest lawmaker.

 

Blair earned 63 percent of the vote, winning a seat on the West Virginia House of Delegates.

 

In a statement on her campaign's Facebook page, Blair said her election sent a message that the road to "prosperity and success is rooted in conservative values and principles."

 

"When I made the decision to run for public office, I did so because I firmly believe that my generation's voice, fresh perspective and innovative ideas can help solve some of our state's most challenging issues," she continued.

 

Our friends at It's All Politics, wrote about Blair when she beat out the Republican incumbent as a 17-year-old.

 

 

A Win In West Virginia Makes Saira Blair State's Youngest Lawmaker : The Two-Way : NPR

Dumbest state in the union. A dorky college student won mayor of Huntington a few years back. Sadly, and surprisingly, he was better than the terrible female incumbent he replaced.

 

Really, WV needs a fence around it.

This looks like an Obama and his coal strategy casualty. It doesn't sound like the Dem. had a chance.

This looks like an Obama and his coal strategy casualty. It doesn't sound like the Dem. had a chance.

 

IMO, she won because of ignorant voters. All they saw was BLAIR on the ballot and voted for familiarity. Her father is a long time WV politician. Why else would any adult vote for an 18 year old to represent them? People are stupid.

I think it is funny that we all just assume that WV is ignorant for electing her. I could not tell you much about her (other than what I have just read) and I know nothing about her opponent...but why do some assume the voters made the wrong decision just because she is 18?

 

I'd rather have an 18 year old representing me who has core beliefs in line with mine than a 45 year old who does not...

I think it is funny that we all just assume that WV is ignorant for electing her. I could not tell you much about her (other than what I have just read) and I know nothing about her opponent...but why do some assume the voters made the wrong decision just because she is 18?

 

I'd rather have an 18 year old representing me who has core beliefs in line with mine than a 45 year old who does not...

 

I don't assume they made the wrong decision. She may have great core beliefs, but she has zero life experiences. I assume some, not all, thought they were voting for her dad.

Dumbest state in the union. A dorky college student won mayor of Huntington a few years back. Sadly, and surprisingly, he was better than the terrible female incumbent he replaced.

 

Really, WV needs a fence around it.

 

Preferably, electrified.

I think it is funny that we all just assume that WV is ignorant for electing her. I could not tell you much about her (other than what I have just read) and I know nothing about her opponent...but why do some assume the voters made the wrong decision just because she is 18?

 

I'd rather have an 18 year old representing me who has core beliefs in line with mine than a 45 year old who does not...

 

 

18 year olds don't know squat.

I think it is funny that we all just assume that WV is ignorant for electing her. I could not tell you much about her (other than what I have just read) and I know nothing about her opponent...but why do some assume the voters made the wrong decision just because she is 18?

 

I'd rather have an 18 year old representing me who has core beliefs in line with mine than a 45 year old who does not...

 

Because even the smartest 18 year old is dumb in the "game" of life.

 

What I want to know is why isn't there some sort of age requirement to be able to run for such an office. 22 at least, something.

18 year olds don't know squat.

Look at the politicians, obviously the adults in government don't know squat either.

 

Who were they running against? Maybe the other person was just horrible and many people used this as a protest vote.

Look at the politicians, obviously the adults in government don't know squat either.

 

Who were they running against? Maybe the other person was just horrible and many people used this as a protest vote.

 

 

Could be. I'm just pointing out that 18 year olds don't know squat. Maybe it's because I have an 18 year old in my house who doesn't know squat and a 20 year old in college who didn't know squat at 18. Either way, 18 year olds don't know squat. I can't trust an 18 year old to follow directions let alone be successful in a public office.

18 year olds don't know squat.

 

I agree that most don't but I don't agree that ALL don't. Again, we need to see who she was running against. There are some brilliant 18 year olds and some 45 year old idiots. Again, I don't know why we just assume she isn't qualified. If she is qualified to give her life in Iraq or Afghanistan, I have no problem with her being able to run...and win if elected.

I think it is funny that we all just assume that WV is ignorant for electing her. I could not tell you much about her (other than what I have just read) and I know nothing about her opponent...but why do some assume the voters made the wrong decision just because she is 18?

 

I'd rather have an 18 year old representing me who has core beliefs in line with mine than a 45 year old who does not...

Worked there for 18 years. Dealt with people from one end of the state to the other and had several dealings with the government in western WV and in Charleston. I can say unequivocally that they are most backward state of the 50 (I may disclude D.C.) and the leadership is a joke.

Worked there for 18 years. Dealt with people from one end of the state to the other and had several dealings with the government in western WV and in Charleston. I can say unequivocally that they are most backward state of the 50 (I may disclude D.C.) and the leadership is a joke.

 

And this young lady may be the best thing since sliced bread, but on the surface, voting an 18 year old into office does nothing to bolster WV's image.

I am going to take a guess and say this happened because of gerrymandering of districts. She probably ran in a district that always elects Republicans. It could happen in a heavily Democrat district also. There are some districts that Osama Bin Laden would win in if he had the right capital letter (R or D) after his name.

 

Boone County Ky. elected a county clerk, or maybe it was a PVA, a few years ago who was a 22-24 year old just out of school accountant with zero experience or knowledge of real estate, etc. She ran against a mid 40's well known, well respected real estate attorney who was probably over qualified for the job. But the young accountant had an "R" after her name and that guarantees victory in Boone County.