Jo Boggess Phillips will file to run for 12th  House seat

by Mike Ruben, Jackson Newspapers

RIPLEY - Jo Boggess Phillips has filed pre-candidacy papers in the West Virginia Secretary of State Office for the 12th District House of Delegates Democratic Primary.

The Ripley resident is a teacher of West Virginia history at Ravenswood Middle School. She stepped down from her seat on the Jackson County Board of Education in March in order to return to the classroom here. She had been working in the Wood County School System.

Phillips is a graduate of Ripley High School with an undergraduate degree from Marietta College. She owns masters degrees in political science from Marshall University and West Virginia University. She also has government experience, having worked in the legislative offices at the State Capitol. Among other duties, she conducted performance audits.

"I know how the process works," she stated.

Phillips describes herself as a "moderate" Democrat who is willing to work with the legislative leadership in Charleston and the Governor. "Governor Manchin has a good vision for our state, but we still have a long way to go. I will be able to work with the Republicans and the Democrats for solutions."

If elected, Phillips says she would place a major emphasis on the state's school system.

"Education is incredibly important," she explained. "We need to give our students the 21st century skills they need so that they can help improve our state instead of leaving to help other states."

She brought that point home, literally, with her own family. She and her husband Mike have four boys between the ages of three and 10. "I feel like I have a responsibility to try to make a difference and help improve our state," she noted. "I don't want them (their sons) to leave the state. I'll work hard for Jackson County if I get the opportunity."

The seat is currently held by Republican Mitch Carmichael.

From THE JACKSON HERALD, December 4, 2007

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Phillips seeking position in House of Delegates

By Christina Bright, Staff Writer

The Parkersburg News, December 12, 2007

Ripley – A lifelong interest in the political process has led Jo Boggess Phillips to announce her candidacy for the 12^th District seat in the House of Delegates.

“It’s something I’ve always been interested in and enjoy,” Phillips said of the West Virginia political scene.  “I worked there for several years and I want to be able to make a difference for my kids and for Jackson County.”

Phillips said in her time in Charleston, she worked in several offices, including Senate Education, Legislative Services, Legislative Information and Reference and the Performance Evaluation and Research Division.  And while the interest has been there and she has gained valuable experience in her time with the legislation, the time was never right for her to run for office herself.

Phillips served on the Jackson County Board of Education holding the office of president, while she was employed in the Wood County School System.  She resigned her seat on the board earlier this year in order to apply for a teaching position in Jackson County.  She now teaches government and West Virginia History at Ravenswood Middle School. 

“Teaching in Jackson County makes it a lot easier to do this,” Phillips said.  “Something that’s really important to me is having someone there (in the legislature) who will work with the legislative leadership and governor to bring back more to Jackson County.”

Among the issues Phillips said she is most interest in tackling as a Delegate is the economic climate and education. “We’re all concerned with the amount of kids that leave our state to find good paying jobs elsewhere.  We need to find a better way to keep them in Jackson County and the state,” she said.

Creating “economic opportunities” that will allow more young people to find jobs and careers in West Virginia are important to her as an educator and mother of four boys.  “I want them to have opportunities her in Jackson County,” she said, “so economic development is a big concern.”

 Phillips said a balance between business and labor is needed in West Virginia.  She said she thinks Governor Joe Manchin has a good vision for the sate which will make West Virginia more business friendly.  “We already have good ideas and thoughts out there.  We just need to work to make them a reality,” she said.

And for the teacher, education is of course a priority.  “It all begins with education.  I want to make sure we have the best teachers who are able to give the students the skills they need to make a difference in the world and their state,” Phillips said.  While serving the legislature will take Phillips out of the classroom some, she said being in Charleston will provide an amazing learning experience fro her students.  “What a great opportunity to bring home information and education for these kids,” she said.

The 1988 Ripley High graduate holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a teaching certificate in social studies grades 5 thorough 12, master’s degrees in political science from Marshall University and West Virginia University and a School Library Media Specialist Certificate from Fairmont University.  She is a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and has been active in the Woman’s Club of Ripley, Main Street Ripley and the Jackson County Democratic Women’s Club.

Phillips, a moderate Democrat, said she would bring a “difference of philosophy” to the legislature if elected.  “I love this county, and if I were given the chance to serve in the legislature for Jackson County I would work very hard to bring home the best and do my best for Jackson County,” she said.

 Contact Christina Bright at cbright@newsandsentinel.com