HURRICANE — Hurricane resident Debra Girimont has announced her candidacy for the West Virginia House of Delegates 14th District representing Mason County and southern Putnam County.

A Republican, Girimont said she believes she can “bring a lot to the table for the people of Putnam and Mason counties. And unlike either current delegate, I was born and raised in West Virginia. I have that mountaineer pride and determination ingrained in me.”

Girimont is a former small business owner and 1975 graduate of West Virginia University. She is the daughter of the late Frank Girimont, a lifelong coal miner, and Jennie Girimont of Hurricane.

“I have a lot of new ideas that can benefit the people of Mason and Putnam counties,” the candidate said. “Not enough has been done to improve the lives of people of the district and it is time for a change of representation. I want to laser-focus my attention on the people, not on personal or political agendas or furthering my career.

“I am a candidate of the people,” Girimont said.

Girimont said she wants to hear about issues affecting citizens, but also looks focus on curbing crime, particularly drugs, and improve fire and police protection.

“I want to concentrate on education, health care and controlling utility costs to citizens,” she said. “I have some creative ideas on how to cut government waste and we need to turn the economy around.

“All of this will take full-time dedication and representation and I am the only candidate who can do that,” Girimont added. “I can devote 100 percent of my time to the people and I don’t have all the personal distractions that hinder one’s effectiveness.”

More information on her campaign is available at her website, www.wvdebra.com.