Craig Howell HEARING DIRECTLY – Close to a dozen candidates in the May 12 West Virginia primary took part in a forum at Cove Presbyterian Church Thursday night, hosted by the Hancock County Republican Executive Committee.

WEIRTON – Area residents had an opportunity to hear firsthand from close to a dozen candidates seeking office in the state’s May 12 primary as part of a forum hosted by the Hancock County Republican Executive Committee in Weirton Thursday night.

Hancock County Republican Chair Liz Baldt welcomed the candidates, as well as those residents in attendance, as they gathered in the fellowship room of Cove Presbyterian Church.

“Leadership starts in small towns,” Baldt said, noting the importance of local-level offices which have the potential for immediate impact on the people.

All three candidates for West Virginia Senate District 1 – incumbent Laura Wakim Chapman, Republican challenger Joe Eddy and Democrat challenger Shawn Fluharty – were in attendance.

Chapman, a Republican, noted her record on being pro-life and pro-Second Amendment, as well as her service in the state Senate where she has led bills focused on providing security in schools, upgrading roads and infrastructure, reducing the state’s income tax and car tax, and eliminating Social Security tax.

Eddy noted his years in business, including 25 years leading Eagle Manufacturing, and experience in energy, manufacturing and economic development, while touting his endorsements from numerous business and labor organizations as well as U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and state Sen. Ryan Weld.

Fluharty, who will face the winner between Chapman and Eddy in November, focused his comments on trying to rally around the common needs of the people of the state instead of partisan politics, fighting for the people of the Northern Panhandle and not the special interests in Charleston and Washington, and bringing common-sense work to the state Senate.

The two Republican candidates for Hancock County Commission – incumbent Eron Chek and challenger Ronnie Jones – were at the event.

Jones showcased his experience in government, including previous terms on Weirton Council and the House of Delegates, as well as on several area boards, noting his plans to fight for the local fire departments and law enforcement, make certain Prevention Resource Officers are in schools and support local parks.

“I believe in working together,” he said.

Chek noted her focus on financial issues in the county, including the elimination of what she called wasteful systems.

“Hancock County needs a commissioner that will choose budget stability,” she said.

Incumbent Mark Zatezalo and his House District 2 challenger Tony Viola, both Republicans, addressed their platforms.

Zatezalo noted his experience as a geologist and work to improve the state’s energy sector, claiming new opportunities in the industry are coming to the area as natural gas and other industries continue to grow.

“It’s been great progress,” Zatezalo said, noting he also wants to push for more assistance to statewide water infrastructure issues.

Viola also noted the importance of water infrastructure, pledging to help locate state and federal funds and grants to support local water projects instead of relying on taxpayers to foot the bill.

“We have to keep our utility bills in check,” he said, while pointing to a need to invest in housing stock in local communities to draw new people to live in the region, attracting new job opportunities and strengthening the tax base.

Pat McGeehan, the District 1 incumbent, also took part in Thursday’s forum. McGeehan is unopposed in the primary.

Alex Gaaserud, a Republican, was the lone U.S. Senate candidate in attendance who pledged to focus on the national debt, enforce border security, focus on energy, fight against transgender aspects in culture and be a voice for the future.

“I am the generational change candidate,” he said. “I don’t believe politicians should be in office until they die or are wheeled out.”

Greg Baldt, from the county Republican Committee, offered prepared comments on behalf of U.S. Senate candidate Tom Willis, who was not in attendance.