Michael Manypenny II
Political party: Democrat
Age: 61
Residence: Taylor County
Family: I love and cherish my entire family including my German Shepherds
Education: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and forestry from WVU.
Professional experience: Hemp production and manufacturing, property management, farm and nursery manager, landscaping construction and maintenance manager, business owner.
Political and civic experience: As a former member of the House of Delegates, I served as chairman of West Virginia Legislative Oversight Committee in the state’s Water Resources, chair of Parks and Recreation and vice chair of Agriculture. I have also served as founder and or president or member on over 10 non-profit boards of directors including West Virginia Centers for Independent Living, Family Resources Center, Project HOP2E food bank, Tygart Valley Chamber of Commerce, Taylor County Child Advocacy Network and many more.
Why did you decide to seek office?
For years, I advocated for recycling and the environment issues. I had a very close friend, Greg Hooton, who, being a quadrapalegic, advocated for people with disabilities. I used to help Greg perform ADA assessments on buildings to determine what improvements were needed for those buildings to come into ADA compliance. I eventually took his place on the West Virginia Centers for Independent Living board after he passed and decided to run for office to advocate for important issues like these.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
COVID has more citizens needing to work remotely along with our children being required to do virtual learning. High speed internet access is the issue that needs fixed. With so many areas in West Virginia being unserved and underserved by high speed access, we need to think outside the box to resolve this problem. [I would endorse] Creating internet cooperatives similar to how we electrified rural America in the 1930s making expanded internet a publicly owned and operated utility.
Amy Summers
Political party: Republican
Age: 57
Residence: Flemington
Family: Married 34 years to husband Rod, three children Sarah, Molly and Zac.
Education: Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from WGU, Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from WVU, Grafton High School 1981.
Professional experience: Currently a staff nurse WVU Medicine/UHC emergency department. Past experiences include nursing management and adjunct professor in nursing. Family owns Morrow Hill Farm where we raise beef, vegetables and eggs.
Political and civic experience: Elected in 2014, 2016 and 2018 to the West Virginia House of Delegates. After four years, chosen to be the West Virginia House Majority Leader, the first female to serve in this role. Also past vice chairman of the House Health Committee. Served my community for 19 years as a volunteer EMT/paramedic and 11 years as the medical examiner. Member Bridgeport United Methodist Church. Member Grafton Lions Club, the NRA and various cattle organizations.
Why did you decide to seek office?
I raised my children and served my community for years. I decided I wanted to take my efforts to the state house. West Virginia was stagnant in its direction and needed fresh ideas to change its trajectory. One example is the roads. They had been neglected and needed someone to push for change. We have done that. While it will take time to fix them, there is at least a plan!
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
The most important issue will be a review process of the pandemic response and an action plan to fix any failures. Additional issues that developed due to the pandemic will also need addressed, such as continued efforts to improve broadband and telehealth. We will propose legislation for these topics.
