You may have noticed that virtually all the discussion surrounding West Virginia state elections has centered around the Republican candidates for office. In large part, that’s because West Virginia is increasingly a one-party state where elections are determined in the primary. But it doesn’t have to be that way — there are Democrats running for state office (and a few federal offices). And unlike the Republican candidates, who are just trying to out-Trump each other, the Democratic candidates cover a range of ideologies from Joe Manchin-style moderates to a self-proclaimed socialist.
So if you’re displeased with the far-rightward shift of the state’s Republican Party, you may find a candidate who better represents your values among West Virginia’s Democratic candidates.
The deadline for people to file their candidacy with the Secretary of State’s office is Jan. 27.
So far, the following individuals have registered with the Secretary of State:
Glenn Elliott, for Manchin’s former U.S. Senate seat. He is finishing his second term as Wheeling’s mayor, and he was previously a legislative assistant for Sen. Robert C. Byrd. Thus far, his main talking point seems to be that he can work well with both sides of the political aisle.
Steven Wendelin, for U.S. House of Representatives District 2, which is currently held by Alex Mooney. He’s a 39-year Navy veteran who moved to West Virginia in 2018. Based on his stated stances, he seems to be a Manchin-style Democrat whose fiscal policies lean conservative.
Steve Williams, for governor. He is Huntington’s first ever three-term mayor and previously served in the House of Delegates. According to the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, “he describes himself as a free market, limited government, fiscal conservative and an admirer of the late Republican President Ronald Reagan.”
Thornton Cooper, for Secretary of State. He is a long-time member of several democratic executive committees and has campaigned for/against certain issues as a private citizen. On his website, he lists his main issues as “raising the minimum wage, protecting the safety of the state’s drinking water and preserving state laws relating to the disposal of solid waste.”
Mary Ann Roebuck Claytor for state auditor. She actually worked as an auditor in West Virginia State Auditor’s Office for 22 years. She’s campaigning on making it easier for the public to see the results of audits, streamlining the auditing process and preventing fraud.
Joey Garcia, for West Virginia Senate District 13. He currently serves as the delegate for House District 76. His platform is pretty standard: improving education, roads, health care and substance abuse treatment and expanding broadband access.
Our area’s incumbent Democrats are running again, including Evan Hansen, John Williams and Anitra Hamilton, who filled Danielle Walker’s seat after Walker stepped down. Their records speak for themselves.
Previously, Zach Shrewsbury announced his campaign for U.S. Senate, but his name does not appear on the Secretary of State’s official list. Shrewsbury is a Marine Corp veteran running as a progressive. He’s the candidate who doesn’t balk when people call him a “socialist” for supporting universal health care, LGBTQ+ rights, renewable energy and stronger labor and veterans’ protections.
So as you can see, there are options on the ballot for West Virginia’s Democrats, Independents and moderates. And hopefully, by the end of the month there will be even more.
