CHARLESTON, W.Va., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the campaign season closes, Walt Helmick offers thanks for all who have helped him in his race for commissioner of agriculture.

"I'm proud that we ran a positive campaign," he said. "I have stayed focused on what I will do as the farmers' advocate to promote job creation and to move agriculture from the back page to the front page."

Helmick said he also is pleased to have received many endorsements, including those from West Virginians for Manufacturing Jobs, the West Virginia Business & Industry Council, West Virginians for Coal, the Coal Miners' Political Action Committee (UMWA), West Virginians for Life, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce, the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, the Charleston Gazette, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, the Register-Herald of Beckley and the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association.

"I appreciate what everybody has done for me during this campaign, especially as so many West Virginians struggle to overcome the severe winter storm that resulted from Hurricane Sandy," he said. "Let's hope that these difficult circumstances do not prevent anyone from exercising the right to vote, but more importantly, that everyone remains safe."

For more information about Helmick, go to the campaign's website, www.helmickforwv.com, or Facebook page, Walt Helmick for Agriculture Commissioner.

SOURCE Helmick for Agriculture Commissioner