Elect three
Democrat Michael Angelucci and Republican Daron McIntire did not respond to the newspaper’s questions.
Joey Garcia
Political party: Democrat
Age: 37
Residence: Fairmont
Family: Married to Heather Hoelscher.
Education: Law degree, West Virginia University College of Law; Bachelor of Arts in history, West Virginia University; graduate of Fairmont Senior High School.
Professional experience: Worked as an attorney for over 11 years. From 2012 to 2017, worked in the office of the governor of West Virginia, including serving as deputy general legal counsel and legislative director to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. Since 2017, practiced law at the Manchin Injury Law Group PLLC, in Fairmont, representing individuals as a trial lawyer in personal injury, civil rights and consumer protection cases.
Political and civic experience: Board member, Marion County Chamber of Commerce, 2020; treasurer, Fairmont Marion County Regional Airport Authority, 2019-present; member, Fairmont Lions Club, 2019-present; chair, West Virginia Juvenile Justice Reform Oversight Committee, 2015-18; member (designee), West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board, 2013-15.
Why did you decide to seek office?
I am running to put families first and make sure Marion County will always be a great place to live, work and raise a family. I want more West Virginians to have the opportunity to stay or come back to West Virginia. To maintain and attract young people, we need better quality jobs, local access to quality health care and a first-class public education system.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
Our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our legislature should have already been called into special session to collaborate on policy issues and the disbursement of federal CARES Act funding to protect public health, to support small businesses, to ensure housing and food security and to facilitate public education for teachers, students and parents. As a legislator, I will advocate for increased oversight by the Legislature on spending and the overall response to this crisis.
Ronald J. Straight
Political party: Democrat
Age: 68
Residence: Fairmont
Education: East Fairmont High School, Fairmont State College, WVU, Leadership Marion.
Political and civic experience: Served on Fairmont City Council for 24 years, four years as mayor of Fairmont, vice chairman of Fairmont Planning and Zoning Commission, current board president of Family Resource Network, former board member of Fairmont General Hospital, former board member of West Virginia Municipal League, delivers Meals on Wheels, Vietnam Era veteran.
Professional experience: Current safety manager, Dave Stanley Consultants; worked in mining industry for 30-plus years; worked in gas sector and electric sector.
Why did you decide to seek office?
After gaining experience on the local level and being involved on the state level (with the Municipal League), I know how government works. I now want to use my knowledge to serve Marion County on the state level. I am dedicated to improving the quality of life in our county by attracting more businesses, thus creating more jobs for local labor. This will help to increase our tax base.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
Because the coronavirus has affected every aspect of life, including business, industry, education and quality of life, it is the most important issue. We must get this epidemic under control by having everyone on the same page and enforcing full compliance. If elected, I would have a continued dialogue with state medical experts to determine which procedures would need to be addressed. I would advocate for more testing and more testing supplies countywide.
Phil Mallow
Political party: Republican
Age: 62
Residence: Fairmont
Education: Graduate of Allegany College, Cumberland, Md.
Political and civic experience: I have never held political office. I organize and hold a conservative luncheon in Marion County every Wednesday to keep the citizens up to date on political issues. I am a member of the NRA and support the West Virginia Citizens Defense League. I am a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau and the Marion County Republican Committee. I was a Republican delegate for President Trump at the 2018 GOP national convention representing West Virginia.
Professional experience: Retired from UPS management, 36 years.
Why did you decide to seek office?
Did not respond.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
Did not respond.
Guy Ward
Political party: Republican
Age: 64
Residence: White Hall
Family: Wife, Joyce; one son, Christopher, age 35.
Education: Associate of Applied Science, Fairmont State University.
Professional experience: Retired early from First Energy in 2011 as a material analyst with over 33 years.
Political and civic experience: Marion County Commission, 2012; mayor of White Hall 2013-19; West Virginia House of Delegates 2017–2018; Fairmont Rotary, 2012-present; White Hall Kiwanis, 2005–present; Fairmont Lions, 2012 to present.
Why did you decide to seek office?
This is the greatest country on the face of the earth and that’s because of our freedoms that we enjoy by the Constitution. Because I want future generations to have what I have, I’m seeking another term in the House of Delegates to help in the fight to preserve these freedoms, which are under attack by those on the far left who want to dismantle our Constitution and destroy our way of life.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
Because of the economic impact brought on by the coronavirus, the budget will be the biggest challenge to legislators. My experience as an analyst with First Energy and my many years as a government official uniquely qualify me for the task. My overall plan would be to reduce taxes and maintain the current budget. Then assist businesses with tax relief or credits to help reduce the unemployment numbers and restart the economy.
