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WEIRTON - Two political newcomers are hoping to win voters’ favor in order to represent the Second District in West Virginia’s House of Delegates.
Republican Tony Viola and Democrat Daniel Day, both of Weirton, are facing off for the seat which represents portions of Hancock and Brooke counties. It’s currently held by Mark Zatezalo, whom Viola defeated in May’s primary election.
Day has a background in information technology, having worked more than 10 years as a software developer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State in computer science/mathematics.
Day notes a need to invest in utilities and public education, as well as push for good-paying jobs with benefits to provide for working families.
"My plan is to have hope and fight as hard as I can to push for the initiatives that constituents have voiced and propel us into a peaceful and prosperous future," he said.
Viola is a graduate of West Liberty University with a career in real estate. He is active in numerous local organizations.
"My campaign has focused on three priorities from the beginning: improving infrastructure, attracting economic development and strengthening our communities," Viola said.
Both candidates questioned the potential benefits of artificial intelligence data centers, such as those being discussed in West Virginia, in particular following the passage of House Bill 2014, co-sponsored by Zatezalo and signed into law in 2025.
The legislation would prohibit the enforcement of local zoning regulations concerning such data centers, providing the state with the final say.
"I want to be as clear as I can with this answer: All levels of government should have a say in the matter when it comes to sound investments in our area," Day said. "That said, the voters want reliable, fruitful investments in our future. I have concerns about the AI Datacenter projects that are being proposed all across our state. The companies proposing the datacenters to be built are proving to be unprofitable and use absurd amounts of electricity that are potentially a drain on our precious natural resources. A number of companies are nearing bankruptcy, as they have burned through billions of dollars of services and are not meeting their obligations to pay back the loans taken for construction of datacenters. Some of the projects proposed are ludicrous, involving immense amounts of compute that simply do not exist, nor do the manufacturers have the capability of producing chips and equipment any faster."
Viola also urged a cooperative approach when it comes to development in the region.
"Our region faces a unique geographical challenge. Situated between Ohio and Pennsylvania, we have a limited amount of developable land. We need to be strategic about how that land is utilized and consider whether a data center generating relatively few permanent jobs is the best use of property that could otherwise support manufacturing, distribution or other industries employing significantly more people," Viola said. "The state and local governments should work together to ensure proposed developments meet appropriate environmental and infrastructure requirements, with transparency and opportunities for public input. I’m not opposed to technological advancement or private investment. I want West Virginia to remain competitive in emerging industries. But economic development should benefit the people who live here, not come at their expense."
Day further said a good focus for economic development would be those businesses which could improve infrastructure, in particular electricity infrastructure.
"I think industries focused on this, such as Form Energy, and other companies that specialize in electrical infrastructure would be a great investment in our community," Day said. "The ways we can attract them require the collaboration of state, federal and local officials to secure funding for investments in our communities. When corporations and investors see initiative taken by our leaders, they may follow suit."
Viola sees the potential in the region for energy-based industries, but also other types of manufacturing and businesses.
"I would prioritize advanced manufacturing, light industrial operations, logistics and distribution, energy production and businesses that support these industries," Viola said. "These sectors have the potential to provide good-paying jobs, create opportunities for skilled trades and generate additional economic activity for small businesses. We also need to support the businesses already operating here. Retaining and expanding an existing employer can be just as important as attracting a new one."
Viola also pointed to a need to invest in housing stock throughout the region in order to better support potential new residents.
Both candidates identified a need for an "all-hands" approach when it comes to improvements to infrastructure.
"Local governments understand their infrastructure needs better than anyone and they should play a leading role in identifying priorities," Viola said, pointing to needed upgrades for local water systems as the prime example. "However, many of these projects are simply too expensive for local customers to shoulder alone. That’s where state and federal partnerships become essential."
Viola said he will work to assist in identifying available grants and infrastructure funding while helping local officials coordinate with state and federal agencies to move projects ahead.
Day noted the need for transparency in infrastructure development, and encouraged investment in the roads and highways.
"One project in particular that I would like to see come to fruition is the building of a bypass around Weirton, and an additional bridge connecting to Ohio to alleviate traffic running through downtown that is heading north towards Chester," Day said. "There are a lot of opportunities to invite guests to our community and share in our culture. Tourism is a profitable industry in West Virginia and perhaps more profitable than other states. We need to make sure they have the tools necessary to help them to continue to flourish."
Several local cities and counties have spent the last year considering the distribution of funding derived from the state’s legal settlements with producers and distributors of pharmaceutical opioids.
Viola said, while he would be willing to serve in an advisory role for such discussions, he feels legislators should not be involved in the actual distribution of funds.
"It is not the role of a State Delegate to distribute opioid settlement funds," he said. "However, if a county commission or city council were to invite me to be part of those conversations, I would welcome the opportunity to offer my perspective and help identify resources that could benefit our communities."
Day, meanwhile, has expressed concerns as to whether the funds are being provided to those who could benefit from them the most.
"The money used for opioid settlements should benefit those who are affected by opioid addition, not for politicians to enrich themselves," Day said. "The Legislature may or may not have the properly credentialed people capable of making decisions in these matters. Making the wrong decision can cost people their lives. It’s best for professionals to decide what to do with these funds."
Both candidates emphasized a need for clear communication between elected officials and the community.
Day pointed to social media as a way his campaign has provided visibility.
"We use our Facebook page as our main tool for communications with our voters. If anyone has questions about policy, they should email us, or message us on our Facebook page," Day noted. "That said, our campaign is laser focused on accountability. We need to ensure that our politicians are held to their word and vote in our interests accordingly."
Viola also noted social media as an avenue of communication, but has plans for community events and direct conversations with residents to keep them informed as well.
"I want the people of Brooke and Hancock counties to know and understand why I voted a certain way on legislation or why I support a particular policy. I believe elected officials have a responsibility to explain their decisions, not simply make them," Viola said. "At the end of the day, it’s the voters who give us the opportunity to represent them. We may not always agree on every issue, and that’s okay. But residents absolutely deserve to know why I made a decision and why I believe it’s in their best interest."
Early voting in West Virginia continues through Saturday, with the general election set for Nov. 3.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)