Elections are the most direct impact many of us will have on our government, and it’s important everyone knows who they are voting for and what those candidates represent.
Therefore, we would like to thank all the candidates for office who took the time to join us over the last few weeks to help us and our readers get a better understanding of who they are and what their mission will be should they get elected.
We sent invitations to 26 candidates to join us for virtual interviews, and we were fortunate to be able to speak to 19 of them. In general, we paired candidates with their opponent, but due to some nonresponses, there were two sets of mismatched candidate interviews and one solo interview.
We spent roughly 30 minutes with each set of candidates as a reporter listened in. Each candidate was given the opportunity to introduce themselves, then The Dominion Post Editorial Board asked a series of questions and the interview ended with candidates’ closing statements.
The candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives fielded questions about both state and national (often intersecting) concerns: how they would represent West Virginia’s interests in Washington, if they would support a national abortion ban, how to balance fossil fuel and green energy, whether to deschedule cannabis and their thoughts on President Biden’s tenure.
House of Delegates and State Senate candidates were asked similar questions about the most important issues facing West Virginia: the competing tax cut proposals, the aftermath of the anti-abortion law and the budget surplus.
The Monongalia County Commission candidates were asked about Amendment 2, subdivision regulations and what they believed they could accomplish in the position. They were also asked — in the wake of the Bon Vista Apartments fire — if the county could have its own fire department. (The answer to which was “not really.”)
We asked all candidates, regardless of what office they are running for, if they believe the results of the 2020 election are legitimate and/or if they believe there was widespread voter fraud. Two years out from that election — and a year-and-a-half from the subsequent attack on the U.S. Capitol — there should be no doubt election procedures were carried out legitimately and securely throughout America. Dozens of court cases, audits and investigations have produced mountains of evidence that the election was not “stolen” and what little voter fraud was found could not have changed the election’s results. We firmly believe that if a candidate continues to peddle in Trump’s Big Lie, promote election conspiracies or insist that the only unimpeachable elections occurred in states that voted for Trump, that person has no business being in government.
In choosing who to endorse, we did not merely pick someone based on the alignment of their values and policy positions to ours. We considered whether that person would be a good fit for that office; whether they had good ideas or solid plans for tackling specific challenges; whether they would represent the interests of West Virginians as a whole, not just the interests of their political party; and, for incumbents, whether what they’ve already accomplished merits another term in office.
Without further ado, here are The Dominion Post’s endorsements for the 2022 General Election:
U.S. House of Representatives District 2
After meeting with both Alex Mooney (Republican) and Barry Wendell (Democrat), we have chosen to endorse Wendell for the U.S. House of Representatives. We genuinely believe that he will better represent all West Virginians.
Mooney has proven by his voting record that he is willing to vote against the Mountain State’s interests in order to hold the national party line. He voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Recue Plan, both of which have provided the state and its residents with desperately needed financial support — the first for our crumbling infrastructure and the second for all the people and industries devastated by COVID-19.
One distinct difference we noticed between Mooney and Wendell was their position on government: Mooney was adamant that government should stay out — like not “picking winners and losers” when it comes to energy (then promoting fossil fuels over renewables) — but he seems to have no problem with government intrusion when it comes to harnessing government’s power to enforce conservative Christian values on the whole nation. (As Wendell said, when people talk about “religious freedom,” they usually mean Christian freedom.) Wendell’s position was more clear cut: The government has a certain amount of responsibility to provide basic essentials and ensure an even playing ground (comparing green energy subsidies to existing fossil fuel subsidies), but otherwise needs to give people the space to work hard and be who they are.
We believe Wendell is more likely to represent a wide cross-section of West Virginians, from a variety of ages, interests and backgrounds. Mooney will only ever represent the interests of the hardliners in his party.
State Senate District 2
For Senate District 2, we endorse Eric Hayhurst (Democrat) over incumbent Charles Clements (Republican).
We asked all Senate and House of Delegates candidates what the state should do to support mothers now that West Virginia has passed a strict abortion ban. Many candidates used this question as an opportunity to wave their pro-life or pro-choice banners, but we pushed this pair to answer the question as asked. In the end, only Hayhurst could answer it.
Clements used his time to extoll a bill (SB 3001) that would have supposedly provided all these protections for women and doctors — though he offered few details. According to the Legislature’s website, the bill was bandied about during the July session but was not taken up again in September when the Legislature decided to focus all its efforts on banning abortion. Clements had no qualms about passing the ban without any of the “protections” that had been in the failed SB 3001. When pushed, Clements could not, or would not, offer any specific plans or ideas for what the state can do to support mothers.
Hayhurst, on the other hand, had several ideas. He was not the first of the candidates we interviewed to emphasize better and more comprehensive sex education as a preventative measure. He was, however, the first to say that mothers and their children should automatically be enrolled in Medicaid to ensure access to health care and the first to recommend that Medicaid offer coverage for women to seek care from OBGYNs out of state. His fear is that the already existing reproductive health care desert will only become worse as OBGYNs flee West Virginia for fear of losing their licenses. Hayhurst was also the first to point out that making doctors who perform abortions subject to administrative review instead of criminal penalties is almost worse: In a court of law, prosecutors must offer proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the doctor has acted in violation of the law; an administrative tribunal has no such mandate and ideology alone could cost a doctor his or her license.
State Senate District 13
In the race between Barbara Evans Fleischauer (Democrat) and Michael Oliverio (Republican), we give our endorsement to Fleischauer.
Fleischauer has done good work in the House of Delegates as a representative for the 51st District for the last 10 years (particularly her work on insulin copay caps), and we think she will do even better in the State Senate.
For the most part, each candidate gave answers in line with their party affiliation. Once again, the stark difference was in their responses to what should be done to support mothers. Oliverio said that there are already programs in place and the state does a good job, though it could streamline adoption and provide some more support for foster care; nonprofits fill any gaps. Fleischauer said the state needs to expand its existing programs, such as WIC and Head Start, and reform the adoption process. She also suggested West Virginia needs to invest in counseling for mothers, and if the state truly values moms, it should provide funding for in vitro fertilization.
We were especially disappointed in some of Oliverio’s responses. On the question of the 2020 election’s legitimacy, he would only say that he had confidence in West Virginia’s election and refused to comment on the national election. Only after pushing from the board did Oliverio say that Biden is president. We were also disappointed that Oliverio used his time on a question about improving broadband to attack a single vote Fleischauer made opposing a broadband bill she believed to be unconstitutional and that the Senate later declined to pass. This implies to us that he has no plans or ideas for improving internet access in West Virginia — or that he would rather dedicate his time to partisan attacks than to finding solutions.
Fleischauer has earned our endorsement in large part because of her past work in the House of Delegates, but also because of her dedication to improving health care and her ideas to balance the needs of individuals suffering under inflation with the needs of the state to maintain services.
State Senate District 14
For our final Senate endorsement, after speaking with Amanda Pitzer (Democrat) and Jay Taylor (Republican), we recommend Pitzer to represent the 14th Senatorial District.
The question of what the state could do to support mothers seems to be the stumper of the day. Taylor could only vaguely gesture to “programs” (though he could not name any) and churches that help. The government, he believes, shouldn’t do anything. Pitzer, who is herself adopted, recommended the state expand access to birth control, as well as provide better access to and/or assistance with transportation and mental health services.
The other place the candidates vastly differed was over tax policy. Pitzer has concerns about both tax plans on the table (as do most of us). Rather, she suggested we need to be realistic about future revenue and spending and maintain local control over property taxes.
While Taylor does support Amendment 2, he ultimately wants take West Virginia’s entire tax structure and “throw it out the window.” He proposes eliminating everything except consumption taxes (aka, sales taxes). That would mean bringing back the food tax and increasing all consumption taxes to make up the lost revenue.
For her level-headed approach to taxes and government spending, her compassion and her environmental work, Pitzer has earned our endorsement.
House of Delegates District 77
We were able to speak with incumbent delegate Joe Statler (Republican), but Ben Swanson (Democrat) did not respond to our requests for an interview.
We don’t agree with all of Statler’s positions, but he has earned our endorsement, largely for his dedication to improving emergency response services across the state. As the chairman of the Fire and EMS Committee, he worked to implement the “free” (subsidized by the state) EMT certification program at the Mon County Technical Education Center this year.
We strongly disagree with Statler’s vote in favor of HB 302, the abortion ban, but compared to other Republican candidates we interviewed, he at least had some ideas and plans for supporting mothers, and he acknowledged that the abortion ban will ultimately increase the cost to the state.
So while we don’t always agree with him, Statler has shown himself to be a capable statesman who works across the aisle and we give him our endorsement.
House of Delegates District 78
We cannot, in good conscience, give our endorsement to someone who continues to believe in and peddle the Big Lie that there was mass voter fraud in the 2020 election. We therefore cannot give our endorsement to Geno Chiarelli (Republican).
Chiarelli seems passionate about addiction services, which is admirable, but he had little to say about the other challenges and opportunities West Virginia will face. Perhaps he would be better to turn his efforts to advocacy rather than legislation.
Jeffrey Budkey (Democrat) did not respond to our invitations to join us for an interview.
As such, we are not making any endorsements for the 78th District.
House of Delegates District 79
Zach Lemaire (Republican) did not respond to our requests for an interview, but Evan Hansen (Democrat) joined us for a virtual meeting. After speaking with him, we are pleased to once again give Hansen our endorsement.
Hansen has proven himself to be skilled at balancing economic interests with environmental protection, which is something our state desperately needs. As both an environmental scientist and a small business owner, he understands there is a fine line between protecting our state’s most precious natural resources and creating a place that’s welcoming to businesses, and he has successfully walked that line as a legislator. He also has a realistic vision of what West Virginia requires — such as filling thousands of state job vacancies, particularly in law enforcement and corrections.
He has served his constituents well in the past, and we believe Hansen will continue to do so if reelected to the House of Delegates.
House of Delegates District 80
We were able to speak with John Williams (Democrat), but Justin White (Republican) did not respond in time to our requests for an interview. Our conversation with Williams only reaffirmed our inclination in 2020, and we are happy to endorse him again in 2022.
As a financial advisor, Williams has a good head for numbers, and he’s worked diligently on the House Finance Committee. A funding formula he championed made it through both chambers but was unfortunately vetoed by the governor. With a massive surplus and two competing tax plans on the table, the Legislature needs someone with a strong background in finances to help the state find the best compromise.
In his interview, Williams said the budget surplus has made it all the more important for the Legislature to be good stewards, and we believe Williams would be a good steward as a representative for the 80th District.
House of Delegates District 81
Steven Harris (Republican) did not respond to requests for an interview. However, we were able to meet virtually with Danielle Walker (Democrat), and she has once again earned our endorsement.
Walker called herself a “peopletician” instead of a politician, and her track record supports the claim. Not only is she active in the community year-round, she is very people-focused in all of her policy positions, from championing fairness and equality legislation to supporting a proposal to use some surplus funds to put $250 to put back in people’s pockets. She has a particular focus on child care, health care and addressing food deserts. As she said, a Dollar General shouldn’t count as a community’s grocery store.
Her humanistic approach to policymaking and her empathy are why we are endorsing her for the 81st District.
House of Delegates District 82
We had the pleasure of meeting with both Debbie Warner (Republican) and Katie Fallon (Democrat). Fallon has earned our endorsement, because she came to the interview with specific ideas and plans in hand.
Warner knew the right buzzwords, but couldn’t offer anything more specific. She also continues to question the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
Fallon, on the other hand, fully understood the issues facing the state and could articulate that Amendment 2 may jeopardize funding for county-based programs and Gov. Jim Justice’s income tax proposal favors high-income earners when it’s the middle- and low-income earners who need the most relief.
Fallon’s experience as an educator, a nonprofit volunteer and a community leader, as well as her ideas for West Virginia’s future, are why we believe she would serve constituents well in the House of Delegates.
House of Delegates District 83
In the race for the 83rd District, JR Wolfe (Democrat) edges past George Street (Republican) for our endorsement.
Wolfe stood out to us because he was knowledgeable about the challenges facing the state, particularly in regards to mass state job vacancies. Street, while well-intentioned, did not seem as well-informed as his opponent in most subjects. (We will, however, give him credit for knowing that a certain portion of the surplus has already been earmarked in accordance to state code.)
One of the first things Wolfe said to us is that he’s running because the Legislature has been fixated on ideological issues instead of the day-to-day challenges facing West Virginians. We agree that the Legislature has spent the last several sessions focusing on culture war subjects, and the House would benefit from someone dedicated to bread-and-butter issues instead. For that reason, Wolfe earns our endorsement.
House of Delegates District 84
D.R. “Buck” Jennings (Republican) did not attend his scheduled interviewed and did not schedule a make-up interview. Lisa Hyre (Democrat) did not respond to our invitations for an interview. Since we were unable to speak to either candidate, we will not be making an endorsement for the 84th District.
Monongalia County Commission
As the saying goes, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” The Monongalia County Commission has been doing good work the last few years, particularly in regard to cleaning up the county’s financials.
As such, we endorse Sean Sikora (Republican) for Mon County Commission. He is the brains behind the commission’s financial policies, which recently earned state recognition. He’s also part of a team that has come closer to passing subdivision regulations than any other commission.
Bob Beach (Democrat) had some good ideas — especially his suggestions to post the agenda further in advance and to hold one of the commission’s meetings in the western end of the county every month.
However, some ideas can be implemented by anyone and some ideas can only be implemented by the right someone. Beach’s ideas are the former while Sikora’s projects are the latter, which is why we recommend Sikora for another term.
