The West Virginia primary election is May 13, with a number of national issues surrounding the presidential campaign.

Historically, the states primary has played a key role in presidential elections. For example, the 1960 West Virginia primary proved to be a decisive battleground in the race. John F. Kennedy, who had not faced serious opposition in other primaries, suddenly faced a serious challenge from Hubert Humphrey. To secure his partys nomination, Kennedy had to win West Virginias delegates.

Similarly, in a heated battle between Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for delegates, the West Virginia primary will again take center stage in a national presidential race.

West Virginia University has professors who can comment on the state and national issues surrounding the primary:

• Robert DiClerico is a professor of political science in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. He is an authority on political parties and elections and the politics of agenda setting. DiClerico is the author ofVoting in AmericaandThe American Presidentand the co-author ofChoosing Our ChoiceandFew Are Chosen.He was previously named a West Virginia Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He can be reached at robert.diclerico@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3812 ext. 5276 or 304-599-0776.

• Neil Berch , associate professor of political science, has extensive knowledge of West Virginia state and local politics, economic policy and economic models of politics. He authored several papers and publications addressing tax measures in the U.S., the effects of challenger spending in U.S. House of Representatives elections and the campaigns of women candidates. Berch is also the coach of WVU s debate team. He can be reached at neil.berch@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3811 ext. 5290 or 412-445-3957.

• L. Christopher Plein is an associate professor and chair of WVU s Division of Public Administration. Plein is available to comment on policy issues affecting health care and social welfare. He can also discuss issues of economic and community development in West Virginia and how the election may have bearing on the states future prospects. Plein earned his doctorate from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He can be contacted at 304-293-2614 ext. 3157 or chris.plein@mail.wvu.edu .

• Associate professor R. Scott Crichlow teaches and conducts research on international relations, U.S. foreign policy, political psychology and Middle Eastern politics. Crichlow is closely monitoring the presidential contest as a matter of academic concern. In 1997, he won the Alexander George Award for the best graduate student paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, and in 1998, he was a nominee for the best paper award in the domestic sources of political science section at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. He can be reached at scott.crichlow@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3811 ext. 5288 or 304-685-5943.