Wes Holden
Democrat | West Virginia
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
West Virginia State University, Institute, Bachelor of Science, 1975-1977
WV College of Graduate Studies, Charleston, MPA, 1977-1979
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, SP/4, 1972-1975
3
AFFILIATIONS
Greater Sissonville Development Council, Member of the Board, 2016 to current
Anvil Club, Member, 2018 to current
Vietnam Veterans of America, Member, 2016-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
WV State Senate District 17, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (5)
VoteVets PAC
Communications Workers of America Political Action Fund CWA PAF
United Mine Workers of America UMWA COMPAC
WV Can't Wait
Communications Workers of America CWA District 2-13
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
United Mine Workers of America
Communications Workers of Ameri=ca
VoteVets
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Joseph Golden (2026)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2026)
United Mine Workers of America (2026)
American Postal Workers Union (2024)
WV Can't Wait (2024)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Under current federal law, taxpayer dollars cannot be used to pay for abortions. Taxpayer funds these providers do receive go to other basic healthcare services like services like cancer screenings, annual exams, and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Current law is ambiguous and many physicians refuse to treat women for gynecological emergencies because they could be considered as an abortion.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe abortion is necessary and should be legal when it is a medical emergency to save the life of the mother, I also believe victims of rape and incest should not be forced by the government to carry a pregnancy to full term. In WV, several maternity clinics have closed and more are expected to to close. We need more health care funding for women in rural areas,
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I believe every human life has value and dignity and worth at every stage. Protecting life means more than one issue. It means making sure mothers have quality prenatal care and health care. It means supporting children children and families after birth, and protecting people with disabilities and seniors so they have care and dignity until natural death. I support laws and policies that protect life and people through their entire lives.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Neutral
I have not fully thought about this and don't know enough about this issue. I do know it is very expensive and poor people cannot afford it.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Disagree
This is a law from 1873 and it was never meant to be used this way. Enforcing it now would cut off access to FDA-approved medication and would interfere with medical decisions that should be made between a patient and their doctor, especially in cases of medical emergency, rape, incest.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Raising the minimum wage helps working families, helps keep people in the workforce and puts money back into local businesses in our communities. West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the country and many young and elderly citizens.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I agree that free enterprise, the right to private property, and fair rules are essential elements of a productive economy. Free enterprise encourages innovation and creates jobs. The right to private property, your home, land, business is a basic freedom and provides security and a stake in your community. We need to make sure that everyone has a fair chance.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Audit state government to find programs doing the same job and consolidate them so that we are not paying twice for the same work.2. Require competitive bidding and transparency on all major contracts to make sure taxpayers get the best price. 3. Sell or repurpose unused state buildings, vehicles, and equipment that the state is paying to maintain and insure.4. Modernize technology and paperwork.5. Require waste, fraud, and vigorous audits.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
As a Christian, I believe in separation of church and state. It means that government stays neutral on religion, protects free exercise of religion for everyone, no matter their faith. When you take office, you swear an oath to the Constitution, not to a church. You make decisions based on the Constitution and what is best for the people, not because a church leader tells you what to do. Government is not hostile to religion. and protects religious freedom for everyone.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
When you open a business to the public, you agree to serve the public. Our anti-discrimination laws are to make sure everyone is treated fairly and equally. I support religious freedom, but I believe religious freedom does not include the right to turn people away or deny them services. the law should protect all people from discrimination.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Did not answer
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Did not answer
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Did not answer
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Did not answer
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Did not answer
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Did not answer
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Did not answer
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Did not answer
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Did not answer
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Did not answer
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Did not answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Did not answer
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Did not answer
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Did not answer
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Did not answer
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
Did not answer
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Did not answer
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
