Our Democratic Candidates
We have a fantastic slate of West Virginia Democratic candidates running in the November election:
Glenn Elliot for Senate: Glenn Elliott is a 7th-generation West Virginian currently serving his second term as Mayor in his hometown of Wheeling. Under his leadership, the City of Wheeling has ushered in an unprecedented era of public and private investments in downtown revitalization, new housing construction, parks, and recreation enhancements, strategic infrastructure initiatives, and long-overdue new headquarters for its police and fire departments. As a result of his efforts, Wheeling has gained recognition as one of the fastest-growing economies in West Virginia, and the West Virginia Municipal League recognized him as the “Mayor of the Year” in 2022 and as the recipient of the “James Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2023. His experiences on the front lines of Wheeling’s revitalization and the lessons learned from his middle-class upbringing have convinced him of the need to turn his focus toward representing West Virginia in the United States Senate.
Steve Williams for Governor: Born and raised in West Virginia, Steve Williams built a successful career in banking and finance, where he helped individuals, small businesses, and corporations achieve their goals. Elected Mayor in 2012, Steve inherited a city in sharp decline. Essential services were being cut, first responders faced layoffs, and the city's bond rating was downgraded as it struggled to pay its bills. As Mayor, Steve took decisive action to overcome these challenges, and in 2017, Huntington was selected as the $3 million grand prize winner of the America's Best Communities competition from 350 cities nationwide. Working with community leaders, the Williams administration has leveraged millions of dollars in additional grants and corporate investments to revitalize Huntington. And he's done it all without raising taxes! As Governor, Steve will bring the same energy and drive to ensure the best West Virginia is yet to come.
Teresa Toriseva for Attorney General: Teresa was born and raised on a farm in Marshall County. Her life profoundly changed when her parents divorced and she found myself living in public housing for two years in Sherrard, West Virginia. After high school, she received a scholarship to attend Wheeling Jesuit University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and then earned her law degree from the WVU College of Law. She built her law firm, Toriseva Law, from the ground up in Wheeling, West Virginia, fighting on behalf of working people, families, and first responders. She has represented individuals negatively impacted by multi-national banking corporations engaging in unfair debt collection practices, people injured by defective products, landowners against energy companies for violating landowner rights, and both children and parents throughout the divorce process. Most recently, she has served as a statewide advocate for West Virginia first responders, including firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and humane officers, all vital to the protection and security of all West Virginia families.
Mary Ann Claytor for Auditor: Mary Ann's 22-year tenure in the WV State Auditor's Office is just the beginning of her exceptional credentials. As a small business owner specializing in governmental accounting, she's helped counties and cities manage their finances effectively. This dual experience in both public service and private sector accounting sets her apart in understanding the complex financial landscape of West Virginia. Mary Ann has remained steadfast in her principles. She's demonstrated remarkable integrity by holding her party's leadership accountable, even at the cost of internal positions. This commitment to truth over political expediency is rare and vital for the role of State Auditor.
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Thorton Cooper for Secretary of State: Thornton is a native and resident of South Charleston, West Virginia, a graduate of Yale University (B.A. Political Science), and WVU College of Law (Juris Doctor). He has an extensive career in West State government, including administrator for the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, the state Department of Highways, and the state Human Rights Commission. As an attorney, he has been an active member of the WV State Bar since 1978 and has argued cases and/or submitted briefs before the Public Service Commission, several circuit courts, the state Supreme Court of Appeals, West Virginia’s federal courts, and one federal appeals court. Currently serving as South Charleston’s Democratic Party Chairman, he believes the core responsibilities of the Secretary of State position are to promote easier voter access by supporting mail in, early, or election day precinct access for voters; protecting election workers from harassment and intimidation; and to work in conjunction with other state officials to support easier formation of corporations, LLC’s, and business start-ups. A long-time activist and environmentalist, he drives a plug-in hybrid vehicle and has installed solar panels on his roof.
Deborah Stiles for Agriculture Commissioner: Born and raised in West Virginia, Deborah is the daughter of a father who grew up on a Tucker County farm and a mother whose roots were on a farm in rural Hampshire County. Growing up, her Dad worked as a WVU Extension county agricultural agent; the family moved around the state, living in Randolph, Calhoun, Braxton, and Tyler counties. In high school, she was was the first female member of the Parsons High Future Farmers of America (FFA,). Today, she lives on a farm on Limestone Mountain that has been in her family for multiple generations, raising vegetables, sheep, goats, cattle, and poultry. Her background as a farmer qualifies her to be Commissioner of Agriculture and her work as an ag and rural policy researcher has been essential in preparing her for this job.
Paul Detch for House of Delegates, District 46: Paul is a Lewisburg lawyer who has practiced for over 50 years in Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties. He taught medical law at WVSOM for 18 years and promises to promote quality, affordable healthcare. Paul has said, “The leading reason our young people are leaving the State is our Legislature. The Legislature is the voice and spirit of the people. This Legislature is tone-deaf to the problems we face. All this Legislature says is that ‘we don’t care that the schools are crappy, government employees and teachers are poorly paid and the economy sucks.’ It is Republican policies that are driving the best and brightest of our people out. If we want to halt our population drain and attract industry, we must be a place where people want to live and raise their families.”
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Kayla McCoy for House of Delegates, District 47:
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Devin Spinks for House of Delegates, District 48: Devin is an educator from Nicholas County, West Virginia. He holds a Bachelors Degree from Shepherd University in Global Governance and Peace and a Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration from WVU. Devin has worked in higher education at Shepherd University, WVU Tech, and Washington College (MD). In 2022, he became asocial studies and geography teacher at Summersville Middle. He has a strong belief in public education.
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Brad Tuckwiller for County Commissioner: Brad is seeking to complete the unexpired four-year term of the late Blaine Phillips, representing the Central District. Brad returns to the ballot after serving as Commissioner from 2005 – 2010, a productive time for the county during which many resident improvements, tourism enhancements, and taxpayer savings were brought to benefit residents. During his previous term, he was a founding director of the WV County Risk Pool, reducing the county’s property insurance costs by tens of thousands of dollars. Brad initiated the collaboration with Fayette County to begin what is now the Meadow River Trail, was an early advocate for the Humane Society as manager of the county’s animal shelter, was an early proponent of the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) program for White Sulphur Springs wastewater treatment plant, and brought systematic analysis to the county’s budget process.Brad’s extensive experience in banking, insurance, real estate, and management will be an asset to the County Commission and the people of Greenbrier County.
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