GOP candidates, voters rally in Weirton

WEIRTON - A few dozen area residents gathered Saturday morning to celebrate the Second Amendment and also meet some of the Republican candidates set to appear on the local ballot Nov. 8.

Those in attendance at the rally, set up near the intersection of Penco Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, were welcomed by Liz Baldt, chair of the Hancock County Republican Executive Committee, who encouraged them to get out and support the Republican candidates seeking elected office.

"These midterms are unlike none other," Baldt said. "This country is literally under attack."

Baldt said politics start on the local level, emphasizing the importance of electing individuals who will take the voices of the community to the state and national levels.

Candidates for the upcoming election taking part were Laura Wakim-Chapman, candidate for state Senate District 1, Mark Zatezalo, candidate for District 2 House of Delegates and Jimmy Willis, candidate for District 3 House of Delegates. Also taking part was Chris Rose, who has declared his intentions to run against U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., in the 2024 election.

Zatezalo, who is facing against former delegate Ronnie Jones for the District 2 seat, discussed the growth of the natural gas industry in West Virginia, saying the Mountain State has gone from producing 250 billion cubic feet of natural gas to 2.5 trillion cubic feet in recent years.

Such growth has contributed to the state's financial stability, he said.

"We're running surpluses now instead of being in the hole," he said.

Willis, at 21 years old, emphasized his youth and what feels are the needs of his contemporaries, including investments in roads and infrastructure, more funding for vocational tech programs in schools and a focus on job creation.

"They want more good-paying jobs for this area," he said, while pledging to be active in representing the area in Charleston and to "be open, be honest and give people answers."

Willis is challenging Democrat Phi Diserio for the District 3 seat in the House.

Wakim-Chapman, a constitutional attorney from Wheeling, faces former delegate Randy Swartzmiller to represent District 1 in the state Senate. She said in her work life she fights to defend the Constitution, making particular note of the First and Second Amendments.

"I want to bring that fight with me to Charleston," she said.

As part of her platform, Wakim-Chapman said she wants to see a Veterans Administration healthcare facility built in the Northern Panhandle, eliminating the need for local veterans to drive to Pittsburgh.

She also wants to work on developing school security systems tied directly in with local law enforcement, and involve veterans and retired law enforcement in providing security for schools.

"Inflation is hurting our local families and retired persons," she said, proposing a law requiring employers to provide a gas stipend to their employees in exchange for a tax credit.

She also promoted investment in roads and broadband internet services.

Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, also was invited but not in attendance. McGeehan is facing a challenge from Democrat Jack Wood for the District 1 seat in the state House of Delegates.

Rose, a fourth-generation coal miner, describes himself as "an ultra-MAGA political outsider," according to his website.

"For far too long, West Virginia and its voters have been forgotten," Rose said. "It's time to put West Virginia first."

Citing the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress earlier this year, which would see the hiring of thousands of investigative agents for the Internal Revenue Service, Rose recommended instead passing a 10% flat tax and eliminating the IRS.

He also discussed the nation's border security, tying it into the opioid crisis, recommending the completion of the border wall and using the National Guard to secure the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico.

"We're not a nation without secure borders," he said, also pointing to issues concerning energy independence.