State of West Virginia secondary Archives: on Civil Rights
Ben Salango:
One can support both Black Lives Matter and the police
Salango said West Virginia needs a governor who would bring people together and not tear them apart. "We need a governor who is not going to make racially insensitive comments, referring to children as thugs," Salango said, referring to comments
Justice made after a high school basketball game earlier this year. Salango said he rejects the notion that one can't support both the Black Lives Matter movement and police.
When asked about the Black Lives Matter movement, Justice said West Virginia is "blessed to have much better relations with others from other races," than the rest of the country. He said, "of course"
Black lives matter. "They matter like all lives matter, and we should absolutely always try to work together," Justice said, noting that he has a problem with looting and burning businesses.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
Bob Wise:
Restrict and regulate video gambling
West Virginia is drowning in a sea of video poker machines. Some 20,000 to 30,000 are in operation. Our convenience stores and gas stations are becoming unlicensed casinos. The current situation breeds disrespect for the law. When the state gives a
wink and a nod to an industry that is clearly in violation of the laws, it sends a message that we are not serious about the rule of law. The bill I will introduce tomorrow will reduce, restrict and regulate video gambling: - The number of video
gambling machines will be limited to 9,000 statewide.
- These machines will be prohibited in any part of a business open to young people, and there will be a limit of five machines at any one location.
- Operators will have to pass a strict criminal
background check and have been state residents for at least two years.
- Anyone who operates an illegal gambling machine will forfeit not only that machine, but also any and all legal and illegal machines under his or her control.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Jay Wolfe:
No affirmative action; less government in job sector
Wolfe indicates support of the following principles regarding employment: - Reduce government regulation of the private sector.
-
Q: Should the federal government continue affirmative action programs?
A: No.
Source: West Virginia Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Aug 8, 2008
Jim Justice:
Governor's Minority Affairs director condemned by NAACP
Justice appointed Jill Upson to serve as executive director of the state's Office of Minority Affairs. The Office is charged with reviewing research on policies that disproportionately affect minority populations and making recommendations.
The NAACP West Virginia Conference called on Upson, who is black, to resign over her super-PAC's radio ad, which stated that "white Democrats" would "take us back to bad old days of race verdicts, life sentences, and lynchings."
Source: Beckley Register-Herald on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Dec 4, 2018
Jim Justice:
State human rights commission is understaffed & underfunded
The state agency charged with protecting human rights in West Virginia continues to struggle with staffing because of low wages compared to the private sector, according to the acting director. Acting director Cameron McKinney continues to do two
jobs, general counsel and acting director, since Justice terminated the employment of former director Marykaye Jacquet about a year ago. The Commission helps people file discrimination claims in the areas of housing, employment or public accommodations.
Source: Beckley Register-Herald on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Mar 28, 2019
Jim Justice:
Black lives matter because all lives matter
When asked about the Black Lives Matter movement, Justice said West Virginia is "blessed to have much better relations with others from other races," than the rest of the country. He said, "of course"
Black lives matter. "They matter like all lives matter, and we should absolutely always try to work together," Justice said, noting that he has a problem with looting and burning businesses.
Salango said West Virginia needs a governor who would bring people together and not tear them apart. "We need a governor who is not going to make racially insensitive comments, referring to children as thugs,"
Salango said, referring to comments Justice made after a high school basketball game earlier this year. Salango said he rejects the notion that one can't support both the Black Lives Matter movement and police.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
Jim Justice:
Would sign Fairness Act to protect LGBTQ in housing, jobs
A point of agreement between Justice and Salango was whether they would support the Fairness Act, a bill that, if passed by the Legislature, would make it illegal for employers or landlords to fire someone or kick them out of a rental property based on
the employees' and tenants' sexual orientation or gender identity. Both men said they would sign the Fairness Act into law if it came to the governor's desk.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
John Buckley:
Shares home with his same-sex partner
After retiring from many years as an official with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Buckley is running for Senate this year from West Virginia, where he has a home with his same-sex partner, with the Libertarian Party.
The Washington Post recognized the race as one of seven nationally where the L.P. could be a player.Q: You are one of the few openly gay Senate candidates this year. How might that play into your votes?
A: voters however conservative politically or culturally they are have advanced light years forward on the issue of marriage. For younger voters it's really not an issue at all, gay marriage.
To the extent I raise it, I see it as an issue among other issues about limited government, live and let live, bringing economic freedom and personal civil liberties together in a more consistent message.
Source: Reason magazine Q&A on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Jul 24, 2014
John Buckley:
Live and let live: support the freedom to marry
I don't fit the narrow mold of most political commentators. They just don't know what to make of me.I'm for limited government and free enterprise; I'm also for peace and civil liberties; I support the freedom to marry as well as the
freedom to carry. I believe in "live and let live." I'm for limited government and free enterprise; I'm also for peace and civil liberties; I support the freedom to marry as well as the freedom to carry. I believe in "live and let live."
Source: Charleston Daily Mail on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Aug 12, 2014
Natalie Tennant:
Treat gay couples equally, but no mandates on churches
Q: Do you support or oppose same-sex marriage and does what's happened in the courts change your opinion at all?Capito: "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I have a long history of that dating back to when I was in the West Virginia
legislature but I believe the decision that's been made is basically saying that the states will make their own decisions and I will abide by what the state of West Virginia decides in this matter."
Tennant: "I think that under the law that people should be treated equally and fairly. Now does a church go against its doctrine? No, not at all. A church should not go against its doctrine and it should not be forced to, but
I think that we as West Virginians know about fairness and we know about freedom. Mountaineers are always free."
Source: WV MetroNews on 2014 West Virginia Senate debate
Oct 8, 2014
Pat McGeehan:
Civil unions ok; anti-discrimination laws not ok
Q: Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in West Virginia's anti-discrimination laws?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in West Virginia's anti-discrimination laws?
A: No.
McGeehan adds, "Government should not interfere with marriage."
Source: West Virginia Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Patrick Morrisey:
Disappointed with gay marriage legalization
Morrisey was against the ruling saying he was "very disappointed" and that the decision was no surprise to him. "States should be able to define marriage, that's always been my position," said Morrisey. "At the end of the day,
you cannot deprive people the opportunity to debate issues themselves. Having unelected judges usurp the people's voice is really problematic."
Source: W.V. Metro News on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Jun 26, 2015
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Worrying about somebody's sexuality is just ridiculous
A: I honestly don't even understand the argument against LGBT rights. We have real issues to worry about and I think worrying about somebody's sexuality is just ridiculous.
Q: Do you think that being pro-LGBT rights is a non-starter in a state like West Virginia?
Source: The New Republic on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
May 19, 2017
Shelley Moore Capito:
Marriage is between a man and a woman
Q: Do you support or oppose same-sex marriage and does what's happened in the courts change your opinion at all?Capito: "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I have a long history of that dating back to when I was in the West Virginia
legislature but I believe the decision that's been made is basically saying that the states will make their own decisions and I will abide by what the state of West Virginia decides in this matter."
Tennant: "I think that under the law that people should be treated equally and fairly. Now does a church go against its doctrine? No, not at all. A church should not go against its doctrine and it should not be forced to, but
I think that we as West Virginians know about fairness and we know about freedom. Mountaineers are always free."
Source: WV MetroNews on 2014 West Virginia Senate debate
Oct 8, 2014
Patrick Morrisey:
When males compete alongside females, fairness evaporates
We are asking the Supreme Court to allow us to enforce the Save Women's Sports Act, which simply demands that all biological males, including those who identify as transgender girls, are ineligible for participation on girls' sports teams.
Some will claim this is simply discrimination, but nothing could be further from the truth. If males are allowed to compete alongside females, fairness evaporates.
Source: The Record Delta on 2024 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2023
Ron Stollings:
Don't ban transgender girls from girls school sports
HB3293: Relating to single-sex participation in interscholastic athletic events.ACLU statement in opposition: Over 75 anti-trans laws were introduced in 2021. Among them was HB 3293 in
West Virginia which bans girls who are transgender from participating in school sports. This ban, and laws like it, are opposed by women athletes, women's sports organizations and medical experts.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that banning girls from participating in school sports because they are transgender is unconstitutional.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 78-20-2 on Mar/25/21; passed Senate 18-15-1 on Apr/8/21; State Senator Ron Stollings voted NO; signed by Governor Jim Justice on Apr/10/21.
Source: ACLU on West Virginia Legislature voting records HB3293
Apr 8, 2021
Moore Capito:
Ban transgender girls from girls school sports
HB3293: Relating to single-sex participation in interscholastic athletic events.ACLU statement in opposition: Over 75 anti-trans laws were introduced in 2021. Among them was HB 3293 in
West Virginia which bans girls who are transgender from participating in school sports. This ban, and laws like it, are opposed by women athletes, women's sports organizations and medical experts.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that banning girls from participating in school sports because they are transgender is unconstitutional.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 78-20-2 on Mar/25/21; State Rep. Moore Capito voted YES; passed Senate 18-15-1 on Apr/8/21; signed by Governor Jim Justice on Apr/10/21.
Source: ACLU on West Virginia Legislature voting records HB3293
Mar 25, 2021
Jim Justice:
Ban transgender girls from girls school sports
HB3293: Relating to single-sex participation in interscholastic athletic events.ACLU statement in opposition: Over 75 anti-trans laws were introduced in 2021. Among them was HB 3293 in
West Virginia which bans girls who are transgender from participating in school sports. This ban, and laws like it, are opposed by women athletes, women's sports organizations and medical experts.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that banning girls from participating in school sports because they are transgender is unconstitutional.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 78-20-2 on Mar/25/21; passed Senate 18-15-1 on Apr/8/21; signed by Governor Jim Justice on Apr/10/21.
Source: ACLU on West Virginia Legislature voting records HB3293
Apr 10, 2021
ACLU:
Don't ban transgender girls from girls school sports
HB3293: Relating to single-sex participation in interscholastic athletic events.ACLU statement in opposition: Over 75 anti-trans laws were introduced in 2021. Among them was HB 3293 in
West Virginia which bans girls who are transgender from participating in school sports. This ban, and laws like it, are opposed by women athletes, women's sports organizations and medical experts.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that banning girls from participating in school sports because they are transgender is unconstitutional.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 78-20-2 on Mar/25/21; passed Senate 18-15-1 on Apr/8/21; signed by Governor Jim Justice on Apr/10/21.
Source: ACLU on West Virginia Legislature voting records HB3293
Mar 25, 2021
Steve Williams:
Anyone marginalizing individuals doesn't have a place here
Anybody who seeks to marginalize individuals, because they don't look like you or they have a lifestyle that is different from yours, or there are certain things that are present in their life that we don't understand and
can't be defined; anybody that seeks to marginalize those individuals, as far as I'm concerned, they don't have a place here. We don't put up with this.
Source: Mountain State Spotlight on 2024 West Virginia Governor race
May 17, 2024
Glenn Elliott:
Supports city ordinance to protect LGBT community
Elliott said he's encouraged by the Wheeling Human Rights Commission's approval of a resolution urging city council to adopt protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents. The resolution urges council to recognize the LGBT community
as one lacking equal protection under the law and rectify this at the city level. Mayor Glenn Elliott said he's pleased by this step but understands a long and detailed process will be required to finalize an actual ordinance.
Source: Wheeling News-Register on 2024 West Virginia Senate race
Jul 20, 2016
Mac Warner:
Tribalism is a threat, not racism
Q: EQUALITY: Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
A: No, tribalism is a threat, not racism. E Pluribus Unum: "Out of Many, One." Making distinctions by racial differences in un-American and the
State should not encourage or sanction that type of divisive classification. We are all equal and that is what unites us. We are one human race. We are not groups identified by our biological or anatomical differences.
Q: I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
A: Strongly Disagree
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
May 14, 2024
Tom Willis:
Ending DEI means freedom from tyranny in the classroom
The West Virginia Senate passed a bill that, if adopted as law, will ban all diversity, equity and inclusion practices and policies in state government and schools. Willis said the bill being passed signifies "freedom from tyranny in the classroom."
The lawyer alleged that "woke teachers" are responsible for that "tyranny" and urged people to report such teachers and anyone else who doesn't follow the bill to a website he created, http://reportwoketeachers.com.
Source: W.V.Watch, "DEI Ban," on 2026 West Virginia Senate race
Mar 26, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026