Dave Mistich Published

Delegate Raines to Withdraw from House 35th District Race

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A member of the House of Delegates will withdraw from the race for the 35th district amidst recent legal troubles and allegations related to her living situation.

Republican Kanawha County Delegate Suzette Raines was accused by the state Democratic Executive Committee for lying about where she lives. The committee also accused her of not filing campaign finance reports with the Secretary of State’s office or campaign disclosures with the state Ethics Commission.

The Ethics Commission confirmed Raines did file necessary paperwork but missed deadlines.

A second lawsuit against Raines was filed last week by her landlord, claiming she failed to pay $2,500 in rent and damaged the property. Raines claims she never signed a lease and did not damage the home.

Raines told the Charleston Daily Mail she was withdrawing from the race for “deeply personal reasons.” Her attorney said she would not resign from the seat, but hopes withdrawing from the race will help her avoid legal trouble.

She was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2012.