Natalie Cline
Political party: Democrat
Age: 39
Residence: Wheeling
Family: Spouse, Jason Monroe; son, Teddy Monroe age 5.
Education: Bachelor of Science in international studies from West Liberty University in Wheeling; MBA from Salem International University; M.A. in linguistics from West Virginia University.
Professional experience: Since 2015, has worked as a computational linguist for a D.C.-based software company that specializes in creating multi-lingual software that extracts key data from text-based documents primarily for law enforcement, military organizations and government agencies. Oversees the company’s learning department, develops customer-specific linguistic engines and supports pre- and post-sale customer relations.
Political and civic experience: In June, won the Democratic primary for U.S. Congress with approximately 74% of the vote.
Why did you decide to seek office?
I chose to run for office to answer the growing need for representation that is for the people and accountable to the people of West Virginia. For far too long, our interests have been ignored in exchange for prioritizing the bottom line of out-of-state corporations. I will craft legislation that will positively affect every West Virginian and provide the next generation of mountaineers with the choice to stay here when they grow up.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
Health care has been and will remain the most important issue for West Virginians until we can find a way to work together and pass some form of single payer health care. The richest nation on earth should be able to meet the basic human needs of its citizens, and that includes health care. The people of West Virginia face more underlying health conditions than those in any other state. It’s time to take care of our people.
David B. McKinley
Political party: Republican
Age: 73
Residence: Wheeling
Family: Wife, Mary; four kids; six grandchildren
Education: Purdue University, BS.
Professional experience: Professional engineer, small business owner.
Political and civic experience: West Virginia House of Delegates, 1980-95; U.S. Congress First District, 2011-present.
Why did you decide to seek office?
In 2010, I decided to get out of my comfort zone because of what was happening in the country. I wanted to make a better future for my kids and grandkids. I don’t like politics. But the best way to change the direction of the country is to get in the game. I’ve been honored to represent the First District since 2011 and have worked in bipartisan fashion to deliver results for West Virginia.
What is the most important issue you believe your office will face in the next year, and how will you address it?
This year we have faced the biggest economic and public health crisis of our lifetime. Our focus needs to be on defeating this virus by maintaining common sense safety measures and developing therapeutics and a vaccine — and rebuilding our economy. The best relief for struggling families is to get our economy working again. Bringing American manufacturing back so we aren’t reliant on China is a start.
