More than 20 candidates took part in a forum held in Weirton Thursday and organized by the Hancock County Republican Executive Committee. Among those participating were U.S. Congressional candidates, Alexander Gaaserud, at left, Dennis “Nate” Cain, top right, and Steven Wendelin, bottom right. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — With a month remaining before the state’s primary election, area residents had an opportunity to hear directly from some of the candidates set to appear on the ballot Thursday, as part of a candidate forum organized by the Hancock County Republican Executive Committee.

Held in the fellowship hall of Cove Presbyterian Church in Weirton, the event featured more than 20 candidates for several federal, state and local offices.

“Politics starts local,” noted Liz Baldt, chair of the committee.

Moore Capito, who received an endorsement Thursday from Gov. Jim Justice, was the lone gubernatorial candidate in attendance at the Weirton event.

He touted his family’s connection to the Northern Panhandle – his mother, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, and grandfather, the late Arch Moore Jr. who served as the state’s governor from 1969 to 1977 – were originally from Marshall County.

Moore Capito, candidate for West Virginia governor, was among those appearing before residents Thursday as part of a candidate forum organized by the Hancock County Republican Executive Committee. Capito spoke shortly after receiving an endorsement in the race from current governor Jim Justice. -- Craig Howell

“I think where we are in the Northern Panhandle, there is real opportunity,” he said, adding he wants to attract residents and businesses to the state instead of driving them away.

He explained, as a member of the House of Delegates, he introduced the bill to ban sanctuary cities in the state, as well as legislation banning China from purchasing farmland in West Virginia. Capito pointed to a need to focus on making communities safer and supporting growth in vocational and trade education, while also pledging to having regional offices throughout the state to provide better connections between residents and the Governor’s Office.

“I think accountability is the most important thing,” he said.

Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives – Second District in attendance were Republicans Dennis “Nate” Cain and Alexander Gaaserud, and Democrat Steven Wendelin.

Wendelin encouraged a more peaceful co-existence between the two political parties, saying the infighting must stop if Congress is to accomplish anything meaningful, also promoting reform in the immigration system including a need to make sure all immigrants are documented and pay their taxes.

“Asylum should be the exception, not the general rule,” he said, suggesting a specific path to citizenship after seven years.

Cain spoke against what he called the “weaponized Justice Department,” and suggested the use of tribunals under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution as well as the idea of citizen grand juries. With immigration, he pointed to the need for a comprehensive plan to include the securing of the borders, deportation of those committing violent crimes and not allowing immigrants to use welfare programs.

Gaaserud promoted the replacement of “weak-willed” politicians and the reduction of government, especially the “three-letter agencies.”

“We cannot allow government to stay at its current level,” he said.

For a focus on immigration issues, Gaaserud recommended the deployment of the military to the southern border with authorization to use lethal force, a dismantling of the current asylum system and the creation of a mass deportation task force.

Questions also were asked of candidates Ryan Weld and Scott Adams, both Republicans facing each other for the District 1 seat in the West Virginia Senate, and Hancock County Commission candidates Tony LaScola and Tommy Ogden.

Other candidates in attendance Thursday were Pat McGeehan, incumbent House of Delegates District 1 who is unopposed; incumbent Mark Zatezalo and challenger Michele Slates who are seeking the Republican nomination for House of Delegates District 2; Circuit Court Judge Division 1 incumbent Ronald Wilson and challenger Joseph Barki; Elgine McArdle, candidate for the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals; Steven Dragisich, incumbent for Hancock County prosecuting attorney who is unopposed; J. Scott Gittings, current Hancock County sheriff; Joseph Alongi, Hancock County assessor; Jon Phillips, the unopposed candidate for Hancock County District 2 magistrate; and Stephen Svokas and Miranda Keeder, candidates for Hancock County District 3 magistrate.