On April 23, county voters met with five Democratic candidates running in the primary election set for May 12. Early voting is open at the courthouse from April 29 to May 9. Elise White, county clerk, will help voters determine their correct polling place and needed ID for voting in the primaries on election day.
The candidates, Vince George, Brit Aguirre, Kevin Carpenter, Mandy Weirich, and Betsy Orndoff-Sayers, traveled to Pendleton County to give voters a chance to meet them and discuss issues important to them.
The meeting was organized by a group of individuals who will be on the Democratic ballot for the primary; they are working to re-establish the Democratic Executive Committee in the county, which has lapsed in recent years.
Voters attending were concerned that recent state and federal policies threaten the health and well-being of West Virginia children, families, and rural communities. In particular, concern was expressed about the likely closing of rural hospitals and nursing homes, the negative effect of the Hope Scholarships on funding for the public school system, cuts to programs for veterans and seniors, and cuts to the SNAP program.
The group plans to meet regularly in the future. Meetings will be open to all who are interested and will be announced on Facebook, Instagram, and in The Pendleton Times.
Voters are encouraged to visit WVClarity Project on YouTube to find out information about all candidates of each party. There is a complete Primary Election Voter Guide available at mountainstatespotlight.org.
