KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – There will soon be a up-to-date face on the Kanawha County Commission as Democratic candidate Natalie Tennant faces Republican candidate Chris Walters in the 2024 election.
The winner will succeed former longtime Commission President Kent Carper, who resigned in May. He was previously the subject of a federal investigation after a woman said Carper exposed himself to her at Daniel Boone Park in Charleston.
Tennant previously served as Secretary of State in West Virginia. If elected, she hopes to improve child care and infrastructure in Kanawha County.
“I went to the people, to where they are, and I’m ready to bring those ideas, opportunities and challenges to the Kanawha County Commission,” Tennant said.
Walters, a former state senator, wants to create economic development opportunities throughout Kanawha County.
“We don’t use our mountains. We don’t use the slopes for adventures that we could and that are affordable,” Walters said. “I want to get people passing by on the highway to discover Kanawha County. I want to make it a family destination.”
Tennant and Walters have different goals for the position, but both are confident they can bring stability to the position and lend a hand the county thrive.
“I think it’s vital to have inclusion and have everyone’s voice. This is what I bring with me. That’s what I bring with me as a manager. That’s what I bring as a female leader…I just ask people to look to me, to my record, to my commitment to serving West Virginia in all aspects of my life,” Tennant said.
“We’re going to run a great office. We will be great stewards of your tax dollars. To make sure that when we spend it, we know that it will benefit our public, that it will benefit you and that you will be proud of what to spend the money on,” Walters said.
The winner will serve a six-year term on the Kanawha County Commission along with Lance Wheeler and Ben Salango.
Kanawha District Attorney Marc Slotnick has served as interim commissioner since May. He will do so until the end of Carper’s term, i.e. at the end of the year.
