×

Ihlenfeld launches W.Va. Senate campaign in Weirton

RUNNING FOR SENATE — Former U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld II will run as a Democrat for the 1st District Senate seat in West Virginia. -- Joselyn King

WEIRTON — Former U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld II said the teachers in his life inspired him to run as a Democrat against West Virginia Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio, this year.

Ihlenfeld also asserted that some Mountain State lawmakers have been “bought and paid for” by big energy companies based in states such as Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Ohio.

Teachers and other union workers were among those present Monday when Ihlenfeld officially announced his candidacy at the Milsop Community Center in Weirton.

Ihlenfeld said he chose to announce in Weirton because, if elected, he wouldn’t be “a senator for the county in which I reside. I will be a senator for all of the 1st District.”

He explained that up until two weeks ago, he hadn’t even considered running for office this year. But that’s when Democrats called him about being a candidate for the 1st District seat.

Although the filing deadline had passed, he was told he could be appointed to the primary ballot by the party because no Democrat candidate had filed.

Ihlenfeld said he has had many teachers in his life– starting with his mother, Diana, a former language arts teacher at Triadelphia Junior High; and his sister, Caroline Ihlenfeld-Dillon, a visual arts educator at Wheeling Park High School. His wife, Becket, is a speech therapist at Woodsdale Elementary, while many of his friends and neighbors are teachers.

He said the recent struggles of teachers to gain lower health care premiums and higher pay affected him.

“I can really feel it,” Ihlenfeld said. “I have talked directly with teachers over the frustrations they’ve had over the years. And we’ve all had teachers who have impacted us in a positive way.”

Ihlenfeld said he saw his mother bring home stacks of papers to grade each night, and learned the workdays of teachers didn’t end when the school bell rang.

He also credited former WPHS speech teacher Fran Schoolcraft with pushing students to greatness, and building a championship debate team. She also worked long hours after school and on weekends, according to Ihlenfeld.

“I feel your energy,” he said to the teachers. “I am inspired by what the teachers and public school employees are doing…. You got the attention of the majority party in Charleston, and I congratulate you for that.

“And I urge you to not stop and keep on going as long as you can.”

Ihlenfeld called for solutions to solving the issues with rising Public Employee Insurance Agency premiums, and pay rates that are lower than the national average.

“You’re doing your jobs,” he said. “Now, let’s make the Legislature do theirs.”

Ihlenfeld described himself as “the polar opposite of a lot of people in Charleston.”

“I am a champion of the development of our energy resources — if we do it the right way,” Ihlenfeld said. “But if you’ve got people who are bought and paid for by that industry… I’ve prosecuted that industry.”

Others are bought and paid for by pharmaceutical companies — many of whom he has also brought suit against, he said.

The teachers and public service workers have been critical of Ferns and GOP leadership in recent weeks.

“Bill is a good person, and I look forward to an open debate about the policies that will move West Virginia forward,” Ferns said late Monday. “I am proud of my record, and am looking forward to asking people to continue to support me if they want West Virginia to keep moving in a new direction.

“Bill was appointed (U.S. attorney) by (President) Barack Obama, and the failed policies of Obama and the past have been rejected over and over again in favor of new pro-job reforms,” Ferns said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today