Associated Press Published

Governor's Cabinet Member to Run for Auditor

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Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s cabinet secretary is running for state auditor in West Virginia.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports this is the first time Acting Administration Secretary Jason Pizatella has run for public office.

Pizatella has worked for Govs. Bob Wise, Joe Manchin and Tomblin. He has also served as legislative liaison to the state Senate and House of Delegates.

The 33-year-old Democrat seeks to replace longtime State Auditor Glen Gainer III, who announced last month that he wouldn’t seek another four-year term.

The newspaper reports Pizatella, who is a Fairmont native, is the first Democrat to enter the auditor’s race.

He plans to resign as administration secretary later this month after he files official paperwork to run for auditor.

The West Virginia auditor serves as the state’s official bookkeeper.