By Kelli-Jo Ramirez Jackson Newpapers

RAVENSWOOD-- The Jackson County Democratic Women's Club scheduled one speaker for the Tuesday night meeting but ended up with three. Southern Regional Director of the National Federation of Democratic Women Carye Blaney was set to speak to the club on May 2, but surprise visits from Mike Callaghan and Steve Nicholas turned the gathering into more of a crusade for voters' attention than an organized meeting.

Callaghan, campaigning for [Congress] in the Jackson County area against incumbent Shelley Moore Capito, made a pit-stop at the Ravenswood Community building to give literature, gifts, a short platform speech and conduct photo opportunities. As a former Federal Prosecutor, Callaghan would like to stop corruption in politics and bring accountability in Washington.

Callaghan's other missions include making health care more affordable to families, securing U.S. borders and finding a way out of the war in Iraq.

Steve Nicholas came to the meeting to ask the Democratic Women for support in his bid for the House of Delegates. Nicholas is seeking victory over current office holder Mitch Carmichael. Nicholas is looking to invest in local economic growth, fully fund education, and improve West Virginia's infrastructure.

Blaney took the floor after the campaigners with a message of the importance of mobilizing the membership of the Democratic Party.

Said Blaney, "During the Bush administration twelve thousand seven-hundred manufacturing jobs have been lost. There are over 37,400 West Virginians looking for work. As of January this year, heating costs have gone up sixty-three percent and gas prices have risen sixty-four since on the gallon. Preventative care and medicare have been cut and the way in Iraq is costing billions. West Virginia cannot take any more Republican leadership in this country. We need to get out and vote especially in the primaries. It's the most fundamental thing we can do. Voice your opinion on which candidate you want to support. Motivate other Democrats to get out and vote. We need to have Democrats on the ticket from top to bottom."

The Jackson County group plans to garner more Democratic votes by setting up a campaigning booth at the upcoming October Fest.

Democratic candidates will be invited to attend in order to answer questions from the public as well as hand out literature.