We believe that elections are — or should be — more about West Virginians and our families, so on Primary Election Day, Mountain State Spotlight reporters fanned out across our state to see what our neighbors were thinking about.
Read more: You ask, we report: How we will cover the 2024 elections
For this election, voters in all 55 West Virginia counties had a chance to weigh in on Republican, Democratic and Mountain Party candidates for important national, statewide and local positions. At schools, churches and community centers around the state West Virginians voted for U.S. senator, congresspeople, governor, state senators, city council members, judges, and school board members, to name a few.
From Roane to Fayette to Calhoun counties, here is some of what we heard.
Parkersburg: Partisanship gets in the way of real solutions to homelessness, addiction
Jessica Siefert runs the Parkersburg Art Center and said the downtown is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keep reading
Kanawha City: Struggling to get public assistance or a good job
Angelina Nemeth is finishing up dental school and says it’s difficult to get enough money to take care of her kids
Keep reading
Huntington: Love the arts, uncertain on the levy
Sheila Redling said she’s concerned about the contentious school levy vote and who will be the next mayor of West Virginia’s second-largest city.
Keep reading
Mullens: Volunteering to beautify the community
Becky Moorefield and Michelle Martin say volunteer efforts are integral to Mullens’ continued recovery from a 2001 flood.
Keep reading
Chesapeake: Doubting politicians’ promises to lower costs for people with disabilities
Shawn Ramsey is a full-time caregiver for his mother, and the two struggle to get by on disability benefits.
Keep reading
Beckley: Using a business to build community
Danny Reed wanted to create a place where people in Beckley could hang out.
Keep reading
Huntington: Wishing for the good ole days when business boomed
Philip Frank, 61, has lived in the Jewel City his whole life and hopes officials will start with fixing the roads and improving public safety.
Keep reading
Marmet: A need for lowering prescription drug costs
Jack Miller is 65 and has diabetes. He’d like to see more focus on spending money to lower the cost of medications for seniors like…
Keep reading
Glenville: Hoping for more veteran support from state lawmakers
Charlie Yakubow says more support is needed for veterans, like the ones he works with at Glenville State University.
Keep reading
St. Marys: Working together to address community needs
Jennifer White and Allen Thacker say their community is struggling with inadequate housing and jobs, like many other places in West Virginia.
Keep reading
Burnsville: Challenges accessing transportation, fresh food in a rural community
When library director Beth Anderson’s car was out of commission for 6 weeks, it highlighted the issues many in this rural community deal with.
Keep reading
Oak Hill: Supporting levies as a civic responsibility
Veteran Larry Hamlin thinks its the responsibility of Fayette County citizens to fund its fire departments, law enforcement and libraries.
Keep reading
Spencer: A small-business owner with health care on the mind
Florist Laurie Shultis thinks voting is important, but wants politicians to keep their promises.
Keep reading
Montgomery: Hoping for an economic revival
Erika Martin sees signs of life in Montgomery, still reeling after the loss of WVU Tech in 2017.
Keep reading
Arnoldsburg: Balancing worries about inflation and energy transition with hope for the next generation
Kenneth and Debbie Arnold are proud of Calhoun County’s newest graduates, and hope they can succeed amid rising prices and a changing energy economy.
Keep reading