Teachers’ foe trounced in GOP primary

Republican state Sen. Robert Karnes, who strongly opposed West Virginia teachers’ attempts to get a pay raise and more money for school facilities, was routed in the Republican primary in District 11 (Upshur County) by Delegate Bill Hamilton, 5,787 to 3,749.

Hamilton supported the teachers’ walkout that started an uprising of teachers in several other states. $10,000 of his $53,850 campaign donations came from organized labor.

Karnes had said before the election that “I don’t think (the teachers walkout) will have any significant effect” on the election. He began his State Senate tenure in 2015.

Karnes is a 1987 Poca High graduate.