One for the G.O.P.

Named last week to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of West Virginia's Democratic Senator Matthew M. Neely: State Republican Chairman John Dempsey Hoblitzell Jr., 45, who directed the successful 1956 campaign of Republican Governor Cecil Underwood, first Republican governor of the state since 1928. Hoblitzell's appointment scales the Democratic majority in the Senate down from 50-46 to 49-47.

Hoblitzell made a big name for himself in high school as a trackman and golfer. (He still plays in the mid-70s.) After West Virginia University ('34), he turned to the insurance and real-estate business in Parkersburg, his home town, is now a banker in Ravenswood and a leading light in educational affairs (onetime president, state School Board Association; member, White House Conference on Education). A bundle of energy in politics, he won his biggest political fame when he helped Underwood into office, his biggest reward when he was made boss of West Virginia's thriving G.O.P. Strictly an Eisenhower Republican, he will hold his new office till November, plans to run then to fill out the remaining two years of Neely's term.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.