Pro-Gun 17 Year-Old Girl Unseats Republican Incumbent

Photo Credit: BUZZPOThis is a big month for Saira Blair. Next week she graduates from high school and she may already have her first job. Saira defeated Republican incumbent, Larry Kump, in Tuesday’s primary for the House of Delegates in West Virginia. As soon as she trades in her cap and gown for her civvies, she has her work cut out for her. Saira did have one advantage. Her father is Craig Blair who once held the seat his daughter is running for and is now a state senator.

But lest you think this is just another candidate running on the fame of her successful relative, you need to hear her speak. She has definite ideas about what she believes and what she thinks needs to be done. She is a Christian, who is against abortion and is for gun rights. She is pro business and she can run off a list of business taxes she would like to see reduced or eliminated altogether.

Saira’s birthday is in July, so she will barely be old enough to serve in the legislature, should she win, which seems more than likely in a right leaning district. Her opponent, Democratic lawyer Layne Diehl, age 44, is careful not to criticize Saira other than to say they have differences on the issues. (article continues below)

Saira will be attending the University of West Virginia in the fall, which could cost her some valuable campaign time, but she vows to spend the summer drumming up support for her candidacy. If she wins, she will skip the Spring semester. The WV legislature works from January through March and legislators earn $20,000 a year plus a per diem when she is in the state capitol.

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