House Judiciary Chairwoman Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha, said she saw much in her primary opponent, political newcomer Meshea Poore, that reminded her of herself when she first ran for the House in 2000.

"She's young and enthusiastic, and a tough campaigner," Webster said.

Poore, who came within 118 votes of upsetting Webster in the 31st District primary Tuesday, is an attorney in the Kanawha County Public Defenders Office - where Webster worked when she first ran for office eight years ago.

Webster said Poore rallied a strong grass-roots campaign - just as she had done in 2000.

Eight years later, Webster said the demands of raising a 3-year-old daughter, running a law practice and serving as Judiciary chairwoman kept her from doing the amount of grass-roots organizing that helped her win her freshman term.

While not thrilled about coming that close to defeat, Webster said she was encouraged to see bright young candidates like Poore choosing to run for public office.

"I am absolutely delighted and comforted in seeing our Democratic Party look more like a little 'd' democracy," she said.

Webster said a presumed surge of voters turning out to vote for presidential candidate Barack Obama in the state's only minority-influence district also helped Poore's campaign.

She also credited Poore for rallying voters in the West Side, portraying East End resident Webster as favoring that section of the 31st District, which also includes downtown Charleston.

"I think the West Side factor probably benefited her more than the Obama factor," Webster said.

House Judiciary Chairwoman Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha, said she saw much in her primary opponent, political newcomer Meshea Poore, that reminded her of herself when she first ran for the House in 2000.

"She's young and enthusiastic, and a tough campaigner," Webster said.

Poore, who came within 118 votes of upsetting Webster in the 31st District primary Tuesday, is an attorney in the Kanawha County Public Defenders Office - where Webster worked when she first ran for office eight years ago.

Webster said Poore rallied a strong grass-roots campaign - just as she had done in 2000.

Eight years later, Webster said the demands of raising a 3-year-old daughter, running a law practice and serving as Judiciary chairwoman kept her from doing the amount of grass-roots organizing that helped her win her freshman term.

While not thrilled about coming that close to defeat, Webster said she was encouraged to see bright young candidates like Poore choosing to run for public office.

"I am absolutely delighted and comforted in seeing our Democratic Party look more like a little 'd' democracy," she said.

Webster said a presumed surge of voters turning out to vote for presidential candidate Barack Obama in the state's only minority-influence district also helped Poore's campaign.

She also credited Poore for rallying voters in the West Side, portraying East End resident Webster as favoring that section of the 31st District, which also includes downtown Charleston.

"I think the West Side factor probably benefited her more than the Obama factor," Webster said.

Poore could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

While Webster survived a primary election scare, several incumbent delegates were not so fortunate.

That included Democratic Delegate Dave Higgins in Kanawha County, who finished 10th in the seven-member 30th District primary.

Higgins, who was appointed to the House last fall, acknowledged that Tuesday was a long night for many pro-business candidates.

"If you take the business community in the state and started counting heads, I'd be surprised if you come up with more than 8,000 people and half are Republicans," Higgins said. "That's a problem business candidates have in the Democratic primary - it's a pretty small base."

Unlike the 31st District, Higgins said he doesn't see where the presidential race had much influence on the outcome of 32nd District races.

He noted that the five other incumbents in the race won their nominations, joined by former Delegate Mark Hunt and newcomer Doug Skaff Jr.

"I was naturally disappointed, but I'm a big boy. It's not the end of the world," Higgins said.

He noted that, despite the loss, he keeps his "day job" as a Charleston City Council member.

Other incumbents who lost Tuesday were Delegates John Pino, D-Fayette; Lidella Hrutkay, D-Logan; Ted Ellis, D-Logan; Ken Tucker, D-Marshall, and Mike Burdiss, D-Wyoming.

To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.