The Raleigh County Governor’s Candidate Forum gave a voice to some of the lesser-known candidates vying for West Virginia’s top office. Most people may only know the names of four of the six current GOP candidates – former state delegate Moore Capito, Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Secretary of State W. Mac Warner and car dealer Chris Miller.
At the Meet the Candidate forum on Wednesday at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center as part of Future Forward, a recent event created by the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, voters also heard from the other two GOP candidates for governor – Mitch Roberts of Kanawha County and Kevin “KC” Christian of Calhoun County.
Christian, presenting himself as a grassroots candidate, wore blue bib overalls and claimed to be a centrist Republican.
He added that he wants to attract voters who are more in the middle on some issues, rather than leaning too much one way or the other.
Roberts was also dressed casually, unlike the suits and ties worn by the other five candidates on stage.
He said the one thing voters should know about him is that he is a man of his words. He went on to say that he would not be bought or influenced by outside interests, and that if elected, he would be guided solely by the needs of the people of West Virginia.
Also on stage with the Republican candidates was Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, the only Democratic candidate for governor of West Virginia.
Chase Linko-Looper, who is running for governor with the Mountaineer Party, was not at Wednesday’s forum.
The gubernatorial candidate forum was the culmination of the two-day Future Forward event, which touched on economic development, tourism, education and health care during several sessions led by experts in the field.
Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce CEO Michelle Rotellini said the event was not only a networking opportunity for businesses and organizations in the professional sector, but also a way to engage the community and inform them about key issues affecting on their lives.
Business and economic development were discussed many times during the gubernatorial candidate forum, during which a panel of media representatives asked the candidates two different questions.
Capito said focusing on infrastructure, including water and sewer, as well as broadband, is the path West Virginia needs to take to attract enormous companies and support tiny business owners.
He said he will also focus on building a skilled workforce, which will also facilitate attract businesses.
Miller’s position on improving the state’s economy was to run it as he did his businesses.
“We have entered a time when we need fewer politicians, fewer lawyers and fewer bureaucrats, and more businessmen committed to providing and running state government,” he said. “State power is business.”
Warner was not asked a question about economic development, but during his remarks he focused mainly on highlighting his Christian faith, state government experience and military career.
He went on to say that she would be guided by her faith in her decision-making as governor.
Morrisey cited his past as attorney general, alluding to his involvement in the opioid settlement.
When asked about the state’s high levels of poverty and child abuse and lack of funding, Morrisey said the answer is economic growth.
“When you drive economic growth, you have additional opportunities to address other issues facing the city, such as child care, infrastructure issues and broadband access issues,” he said.
In a state run by Republicans at almost all levels of government, Williams was asked how he planned to work with his Republican counterparts if elected.
Williams said he is no stranger to working with Republicans and has had success as mayor of Huntington for the past 12 years.
“I have worked with Republican presidents, Republican governors, as well as Republican senators and Democratic senators,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what letter is after their name.”
