Category: West Virginia Politics

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WV Elections 2024

#155-Interview with Janet McNulty-Republican Candidate for US Senator-West Virginia

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Candidate website:  mcnultywv.com

Summary
Janet McNulty Addresses Election Fraud and Jailings
Janet Mcnulty, a candidate for the United States Senate in West Virginia, discussed the issue of election fraud and the ongoing imprisonment of individuals accused of participating in the January 6 insurrection. She argued that the alleged election fraud should be investigated and that the individuals currently in jail, some of whom have not even been charged, are being unjustly held and deny their constitutional right to a trial by a jury of their peers. Janet also shared that she is a writer, publishing a variety of genres including paranormal, humorous mysteries, and dystopian series.
Addressing Vaccine Mandates and Civic Engagement
Richard and Janet discussed various issues facing the United States, focusing on vaccine mandates and the need for greater civic engagement. Janet emphasized the importance of individual choice in vaccination and criticized the 1986 legislation that exempted pharmaceutical companies from liability for faulty vaccines. She also highlighted the growing problem of tribalism and echo chambers in American society, leading to a lack of attention to current events and political issues. Richard agreed on the need for greater civic engagement and highlighted recent cases of weaponization within the Department of Justice.
Discussing Government Agencies, Funding, and Immigration
Richard and Janet discussed concerns about the growing power of government agencies, specifically the FBI, and their impact on individual rights. Janet opposed recent legislation providing substantial funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, citing increasing national debt as a reason for concern. She also criticized the FBI’s actions, including warrantless searches, as violations of the 4th Amendment. They also discussed issues related to funding, border security, and immigration, with Janet proposing an itemized list of government expenditures to identify potential cuts, a temporary halt to all visa issuance and entry to assess legal status, and a focus on legal immigration.   Janet believers the policy of earmarks, where politicians’ pet projects are funded, should be eliminated.
Social Security System and Future Plans
Richard and Janet discussed the future of the Social Security system. Janet advocated for returning the system to its original founding purpose of providing retirement for senior citizens.and emphasized the need to make Social Secirity a true trust fund, where funds deposited are actually held in trust. She also expressed concern about the increasing divide in society and pledged to fight for term limits and the preservation of the Constitution if elected..
Strengthening Families and Reducing Societal Problems
Richard and Janet discussed the decline of two-parent families and its impact on society. They agreed that strengthening families, particularly through education and encouraging abstinence until marriage, could significantly reduce societal problems. They also discussed the issue of teenage pregnancies and abortions, suggesting that local communities should take a proactive approach to help youth make wise decisions. Janet indicated that she would have voted to investigate election fraud if she were in office on January 6th, 2021.
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WV Elections 2024

#154-Interview with Kevin Christian-Republican Candidate for Governor of West Virginia

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Candidate website:  kc4wv.org

Summary
West Virginia’s Economic Struggles and Leadership
Richard and Kevin, a candidate for Governor of West Virginia, discussed the state’s economic troubles. Kevin highlighted that West Virginia has been 70 years behind in transitioning its economy, citing the decline since the automation of its coal fields in the 1950s as a significant factor. He pointed out the failure of leadership in the state as a major contributing factor to the current economic situation.
Conservatism, Government, and COVID-19 Pandemic
Richard and Kevin had a discussion about the definition and application of the term “conservative”. Kevin explained his view that conservatism, in the context of government, should mean being economically responsible with shared resources for future generations. They also discussed the government’s role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kevin stating he did not support the excessive use of emergency powers by the executive branch. Richard raised a concern about government mandates, and Kevin responded that he does not support such mandates on private entities.
Discussing West Virginia Vaccine Mandates
Richard and Kevin discussed the vaccine mandates in West Virginia, particularly the requirement for children to receive 11 vaccinations to attend school. Kevin, a parent, believed that parents should have the final say on what happens to their children, and the decision to vaccinate should be based on the science and reason behind each vaccine. He also expressed skepticism about the efficacy and safety of some vaccines and mentioned that the science community lost credibility by overstating the risks of diseases like measles
Leadership, Communication, and Vaccine Mandates
Kevin and Richard discussed concerns regarding leadership and communication in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to vaccination mandates in various sectors. Kevin argued that private entities should have the freedom to decide their own rules, while also acknowledging that the government’s involvement was necessary, especially in the military. A point of contention arose around the dismissal of soldiers who refused the vaccine, with both expressing doubts about the necessity of dismissing soldiers who refused the COVID jabs.
Resource Ownership and West Virginia’s Revitalization
Kevin and Richard discussed the concept of resource ownership and distribution, with Kevin emphasizing the equal ownership of resources by all individuals. Kevin criticized the current system that allows a small percentage of the population to control a large amount of resources, exacerbating inequalities and poverty. He proposed a plan to address West Virginia’s economic issues by creating a state bank, with all citizens made shareholders, and funding it with the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing policy. The capital generated would be used to restart the state’s extraction industry, with the revenues invested in future West Virginia. Richard raised concerns about the impact of federal regulations on coal extraction, to which Kevin clarified that the EPA’s power is constitutionally limited.
Addressing Societal Issues and Empowering Families
Richard and Kevin discussed the underlying causes of societal issues such as drug use, teenage pregnancy, and suicide  Richard proposed that societal breakdown is primarily caused by the breakdown of two-parent, husband and wife families, with 47 percent of all births in West Virginia being outside of marriage.   Kevin agreed that this is a core issue that is related to the economic concerns that he is focusing on. Both agreed on the necessity of community involvement, promoting local solutions, and enabling people to pursue their dreams.
Improving Election Integrity and Transparency
Richard and Kevin discussed the issue of election integrity, focusing on concerns about voting machines and the role of corporate money in elections. Richard highlighted problems with machines in Arizona and Michigan, while Kevin stressed the need to address the deeper issue of corporate influence in the election process. Kevin emphasized the need for fully open primaries.
Addressing Fraud and Improving Education
Kevin said that he supports the Hope Scholarship Program and more choices in education. Kevin emphasized the importance of addressing the root cause of the problem, which is the poor performance of public schools, and suggested that the solution lies in making public schools more successful to reduce the demand for alternative education options. Richard agreed with Kevin’s support for the scholarship program as a choice for education.
West Virginia Election and Candidate Focus
Richard and Kevin discussed the upcoming election in West Virginia. Kevin emphasized his focus on improving the lives of West Virginians and differentiated himself from his opponents by stating his sole allegiance is to the people of West Virginia, not corporate interests. He also invited voters to learn more about him through his website.
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West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2024

#153-Interview with Daphne Andrews-Republican Candidate for the House of Delegates-WV 99th Delegate District

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Summary
Daphne Andrews’ West Virginia House of Delegates Campaign
Richard introduced Daphne Andrews as a West Virginia primary candidate running for the House of Delegates in District 99. Daphne, a constitutional conservative and defender of the First and Second Amendments, highlighted her commitment to fiscal responsibility, opposition to solar farms and the climate change green agenda, and her desire to attract American businesses to the state. She also expressed concern about the state’s direction in green energy and the welfare of children, citing a recent case in Boone County where the skeletal remains of a child were found after the family was reported to child protective services. Daphne also criticized the use of puberty blockers for children with depression or dysphoria.
Legislation, Green Energy, and Kabletown Project
Daphne and Richard talked about Wayne Clark, the founder of the Green Energy caucus for West Virginia, and his efforts to pass bills related to solar energy and zoning. Daphne brought up concerns about the Kabletown project and that environmental damage does not appear to be properly mitigated. Richard expressed his opposition to COVID-19 mandates and recalled a bill that was introduced in the 2021 legislative session that was passed by the House but destroyed by the Senate, with Senator Trump leading the charge in gutting the bill.
Covid-19 Impact and Medical Freedom Discussion
Richard and Daphne discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their lives and the healthcare system. Daphne shared her experience as a frontline worker during the first wave of Covid-19 and her frustration about the lack of preparation and understanding of the disease. She also highlighted the negative impact the pandemic had on children’s education and the health of senior citizens due to isolation. In addition, Daphne expressed her support for medical freedom and religious exemptions in vaccinations, being disappointed by Governor Justice’s veto of the recent bill to provide some religious exemptions.
Election System Integrity and Preferences
Richard and Daphne discussed the integrity of election systems in their state, specifically focused on the use of electronic voting machines and paper ballots. Richard expressed concerns about the potential for inaccuracies with electronic voting machines, referring to issues in other states. Daphne, who has experience working the polls, explained her preference for the Jefferson County’s system that uses a thumb drive inserted into the tabulator and paper ballots printed as a backup, but also emphasized the need for uniformity across the state to avoid confusion and doubt. Richard expressed his preference for hand-counted paper ballots.
Strengthening Families, Reducing Abortions
Richard and Daphne discussed ways to strengthen families and reduce the rates of abortion. They agreed on the need to focus more on the education of youth to avoid the root cause of abortions, which is sex outside of marriage.
Promoting Education and Opportunities Beyond High School
Daphne discussed the importance of promoting education and opportunities beyond high school for students in West Virginia. She emphasized that her husband, formerly a coach at Washington High School, taught all of his student athletes the values of God first, then family, then studies, and finally sports.  Daphne observed that most of his students went on to college or joined the military with success.
Property Tax Assessment and Voter Registration
Richard and Daphne discussed the issue of property tax assessment increases, with Daphne expressing support for capping or eliminating this tax. They also discussed the automatic voter registration at the DMV, with Daphne expressing dislike for this practice, citing a personal experience where her voter status was incorrectly changed. They both agreed that voter registration should be done through a form filled out deliberately, and not through an automatic system that could potentially lead to voter fraud.
Second Exit Road for Shannondale Community
Richard and Daphne discussed the need for a second exit road from the Shannondale community, which they both agreed could be a lifesaving measure in case of emergencies like forest fires. Daphne shared her personal experience of surviving a house fire and her opinion that the community needs a second exit. Richard suggested that the funding for such a project would likely require state support. They both agreed that the potential benefits of the second exit far outweighed any potential costs.
Daphne’s Comparison of Opponents Mike and Wayne
Daphne discussed the differences between her and her opponent, Mike Allers Jr., highlighting his support for unions and the Liberal West Virginia AFL-CIO’s endorsement of both him and Biden. She also criticized Mike’s stance on the Hope Scholarship and his lack of understanding about West Virginia. Furthermore, she revealed that Wayne Clark is involved in the green energy caucus and talked about not giving subsides to unproven technologies, like the company Form Energy company, which is developing an iron air battery. Daphne also mentioned that Wayne, another opponent, had previously been backed by the West Virginia Tea Party but later disappointed them with his actions.
Addressing West Virginia Tourism Concerns
Daphne mentioned that Wayne Clark only talked about tourism in his current campaign cycle, noting that he has not done anything to promote tourism.  Richard joked that the Blake Solar project is the current welcome sign for tourists entering Jefferson County.  Daphne also expressed her concern about the direction of the state, stating that the current government was not listening to its people. She, along with like-minded individuals, planned to take action for the people of West Virginia by going to Charleston to implement an agenda that is not controlled by special interests.
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WV Elections 2024

#152-Interview with Joe Earley-Republican Candidate for the US House of Representatives-WV 2nd Congressional District

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Candidate website: joeearley4wv.com

Summary
Joe Earley’s Platform
Richard introduced Joe Earley, a US House of Representatives candidate from West Virginia’s second congressional district. Early, a 20-year US Army veteran, outlined his platform which included designating cartels as terrorist organizations, holding China accountable for precursor chemicals, building a border wall, and a five-year moratorium on immigration. He highlighted opioid poisoning, American energy constraints caused by excessive government regulations, and advocated for the first and second amendment. Early also expressed support for pro-life policies.
EPA Ruling, Congress Bills, and Conflict
Joe discussed the recent EPA ruling impacting West Virginia coal production and the current state of American energy. Richard and Joie also touched on recent bills passed by Congress, with Joe expressing opposition to the $60 billion of funding for Ukraine. The conversation included discussions on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the US’s inability to fight a multi-front war, and the damaging effects of Marxist professors in the US.
Protecting Families and Opposing Warrantless Searches
Richard and Joe discussed the importance of strong families and the role of government in protecting them. Joe stated that he does not support warrantless searches on American citizens as enabled by the recent FISA extension and that hi is against the recent extension of the FISA 702 law, which he views as a violation of the 4th amendment. Joe also emphasized the importance of adhering to Biblical principles and the US constitution and the Bill of Rights to govern our nation. The decline of two-parent, husband-wife families was identified as a core cause of societal problems, and Richard and Joe agreed on the need to strengthen these families.
Balancing Budget, Reducing Taxes, and Revitalizing Industries
Richard and the Joe discussed the issues of government spending and the sustainability of the current levels. Joe emphasized the need for a balanced budget, reduced tax load, and decreased size of the IRS. He also highlighted the importance of revitalizing the energy industry and creating more jobs. Joe also mentioned reducing subsidies to unproven technologies, such as solar, wind and iron batteries. 
Vaccine Liability and Parental Rights Discussion
Richard and the Joe discussed the issue of vaccine liability and parental rights. Richard questioned whether people should have more freedom in choosing vaccinations, citing instances of injury from COVID-19 jabs. Joe said that vaccinations are considered as a preventative measure and that parents should have the right to decide whether to vaccinate their children or not. They further pointed out that the 1986 vaccine injury compensation program provides a shield of liability against pharmaceutical companies. The discussion also touched on the recent veto of the Religious Exemption Act for vaccinations in West Virginia by Governor Jim Justice. Joe indicated that he opposed Governor Justice’s veto and that Justice should have signed the bill.
Pharmaceutical Advertising and Election Integrity
Joe and Richard discussed concerns about direct advertising by pharmaceutical companies to consumers, arguing it should be unethical and against the law, affecting the patient-doctor relationship. They also raised concerns about election integrity, particularly regarding the 2020 election cycle, with allegations of fraud and ballot stuffing, leading to an illegitimate presidency. Joe indicated that corporations should not interfere in government proceedings, such as the Zuckerberg funding for ballot boxes, and should be held accountable for any negative actions.
Addressing Bureaucratic Overreach and Waste
Joe highlighted a problem in the government, specifically the conflated bureaucracy in agencies such as the Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, CDC, and National Institute of Health. Joe argued that these agencies, non-elected officials, have usurped Congress’s authority to legislate and create law, and are currently funded on an annual basis. The campaign proposed to decrease and eliminate wasteful spending across these bureaucracies, starting with the Department of Education. Joe suggested that, rather, each state could be given a billion dollars if the Department of Education was eliminated, and that the state could be held to the standard of creating a good education system without federal intervention.
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West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2024

#151-Interview with Jack Hefestay-Republican Candidate for County Commissioner-Charles Town District

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Candidate website: hefestay.com

Summary
Concerns Over New Solar Farms Development
Jack expressed concerns about the development of new solar farms in Jefferson County, highlighting issues such as the impact on farmland, potential environmental damage, and the long-term financial risks for the county. He argued that the initial presentation of the projects as beneficial to the community was misleading, and that the reality of the situation was quite different.
Jack’s Concerns on Jefferson County’s Future
Jack voiced concerns about the current state of affairs in Jefferson County, particularly the negative impact of the Solar Text Amendment and its aftermath. Jack expressed his belief that some commissioners have a hidden agenda, which he suggests is tied to financial gain, and that the situation is causing instability in the county. He also highlighted the problem of the budget and how it is linked to the solar issue, negatively affecting the county’s tourism and agritourism industries.
Solar Panels, Budget Allocation, and Raises
Jack expressed concern about the safety of solar panels in Middle Middleway Fire Department’s jurisdiction, as raised by Fire Chief and County Commission Candidate Michael Mood. He emphasized the need for more information about this issue. Furthermore, Jack discussed the challenges of budget allocation. He also mentioned his belief that the sheriff’s department officers deserve raises. 
Ambulance Services and Election Integrity
Richard and Jack discussed the impact of budget cuts on ambulance services in the Blue Ridge area. Jack expressed his opinion that the consolidation of ambulance services was not the best solution, as it increased response times in many areas, like on the mountain and other outlying areas.  In contrast, response times in other parts of the county were not significantly affected, or improved, such as in Charles Town. They also discussed issues of election integrity. Jack, who has worked as a pollworker for three elections, believed that the voting process in Jefferson County was being run well.  He mentioned that votes could be verified using the paper ballots printed by the voting machines.  However, Richard stated that to have such an audit, the challenging citizen or organization must pay 10’s of thousands of dollars to pay for the audit, which does not make that kind of challenge a viable solution for increasing election integrity.
School Levies and Election Process Discussion
Richard and Jack discussed the issue of school levies and the process of their elections. Richard expressed concern about the high percentage of property taxes allocated to schools and the potential for manipulation of the election process. Jack stated that levy elections should be held alongside general elections to ensure higher turnout and prevent special elections that can be repeatedly failed until passing. Richard planned to verify this information regarding changes to the election process that move school excess levies to the general election cycle.
Property Tax Rates and Impact Fees
Richard and Jack discussed the high property tax rates and impact fees in Jefferson County, with77 percent of the funds going to public schools. Jack believed that the impact fees were lowered to a small amount and should be increased to help the school burden and other public services. However, Richard suggested that the decline in school enrollment might not legally allow raising the impact fees. Richard mentioned that the funds were not being used appropriately, with a significant portion going to administrative staff and not teachers, who only received 2 percent of the excess levy funds.
Jack’s Transparency, Experience, and Stability Proposal
Jack differentiated himself from his opponent by emphasizing his transparency and his experience working with diverse groups of people, including his 25 years in the US Navy and 30 years at Lockheed Martin. He highlighted his ability to build collaborative efforts and listen to various groups before enacting decisions. Jack also expressed his concern about the county’s budget and the numerous administrator turnovers, and proposed to offer stability to the position. He mentioned being endorsed by multiple people in the county for his candidacy.
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Environment Politics West Virginia Politics

#147-Stop the Prosecution of Commissioners Krouse and Jackson

Jefferson County WV Commissioners Krouse and Jackson are being prosecuted by County Prosecutor Matt Harvey because of their work stoppage in protest of the railroading of industrial solar farms in Jefferson County WV. Since Krouse and Jackson have already returned to work, Harvey should drop the petition to remove the Commissioners, unless he wants to join the likes of Fani Willis, Alvin Bragg and Jack Smith, prosecutors in President Trump’s cases.

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Environment Politics West Virginia Politics

#146-Solar Farms Cause Esthetic & Environmental Damage to Jefferson County WV

Industrial scale solar farms are not in alignment with Jefferson County WV’s Comprehensive Plan. Furthermore, they are causing environmental damage and ruining fertile farmland. The idea that the under construction Blake solar project and proposed solar farms are providing vital income for struggling farmers is complete BS.

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Categories
Environment Ethical Business Politics West Virginia Politics

#143-Conflicts of Interest Corrupt Our Government

Stormwater runoff from the Blake Solar Project enters the Shenandoah River at the Route 115 Bridge via Evitts Run on September 24, 2023.

Local government officials, including Jefferson County West Virginia County Commission Chair Steve Stolipher, have conflicts of interest regarding the promotion of Solar Farms. These conflicts of interest are harmful to local citizens.
More broadly, self enrichment by government officials is a serious problem.
Transparency must be demanded, and government officials must realize that they are the servants of their constituents.

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Categories
Family Family Breakdown West Virginia Politics

#138-Commissioner Jennifer Krouse

Jefferson County Commissioner Jennifer Krouse speaks on stopping the sexualization of children in Jefferson County Public Schools and Providing a Positive Alternative at the Strengthening Families and Communities Forum on July 22nd, 2023.

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Categories
West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2022

Interview with Renee Wibly-Republican Candidate for WV State Senator-16th Senatorial District

Learn about Renee Wibly, one of two Republican candidates for WV State Senator in the 16th Senatorial District. There are no Democratic Primary candidates, so the winner in the Republican Primary will be the only person on the ballot in November.

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