Colby Lopez

Colby Lopez was born in Summersville, West Virginia. He earned a high school diploma from Oak Hill High School. Lopez's career experience includes working in retail.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I, Colby Alexander Lopez, was born and raised in Fayette County, WV. I work in retail, in a full-time capacity. Raised by an immigrant father (who recently earned his citizenship after years prior being scammed by a lawyer), and a WV born and raised mother who taught me the importance of compassion and hard work, I believe in making the world a better place for all of us.

While it may sound crazy to some, I think I can do some good as an elected official. Specifically as an Independent-Democrat (Registered Dem; Opting against Major Party Caucuses) in the state legislature. While its hard work to legislate without a caucus, but as a member of the working class, I understand I can still make relationships and fight for what I believe in.

I graduated from Oak Hill High School in Oak Hill, WV in 2019 with Honors, and attended WVU Tech as a Business Management major, though haven't finish my degree (yet). While attending university, I was a member of student government in the roles of Senator, Treasurer, Vice President, and President.

I own a beautiful piebald ball python named Juliette, and an excitable mixed breed terrier dog named Shaggy. I have a wonderful girlfriend/partner, who I've known since 6th grade, and attend anime/comic/gaming nerd/geek conventions with.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Fair Economy for All WV-ians: fighting against the special interests, and corrupt systems that lock workers into the chains of poverty. Supporting small business over mega-corps, supporting workers' livelihoods, and investing in communities that always get overlooked.Protecting our Natural Resources: our state's motto is Wild and Wonderful. The 51st district is home to and/or neighbors state parks, and the New River National Park and Reserve. We can be stewards of our earth without the need to halt our economy, we can actually take the opportunity to expand our economy. Not to mention the communities that still need clean drinking water, asbestos and lead removal, and other pollutants that our people suffer from.Fiscal Moderation: Change and investments don't need to come with debt. Nor should the fear of debt, prevent us from investing the money we have. Tax cuts should NEVER benefit the wealthy more than workers. We must prioritize the true needs of the people, combat the tendency of government to either underfund or overspend, and build a system that isn't reliant on a single (or only a few) revenue stream(s) .

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There are few areas of public policy I haven't thought out my policies passionately about, no matter how low or high word count they may be when written/typed. But I tend to focus a lot on economic policy, policy to benefit workers, small businesses, and the impoverished. Policy to alter and change an economic system that isn't built for workers, not built to allow small business owners to realize their dreams, not built to lift the poor onto the next step on the economic ladder.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I want to be like my maternal grandma Kathy, a kind person who leaves the world better than it was before. Someone who knows how to show love, and care in all their interactions.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should be authentic to themselves, and their constituents. Should be passionate about making a change in the world. Should put in the work to get stuff done. An elected official is a representative, and should NOT be vain, power-hungry, nor acting a part to get elected.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Making whatever decision they make with the best interests of the constituents in mind, and being honest with their constituents as to why that decision was made when necessary.

What legacy would you like to leave?

One of having been authentically myself, and leaving the world better than it was before.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Hurricane Sandy and the 2012 Election were the first event news stories I remember following enough to have discussions about them. I was 11 years old at the time of both occurring. This is likely due to my middle school playing channel one news on a daily basis for us. I didn't know any of what was really being discussed regarding either, but remember seeing the destruction of natural disasters for the first time as well as being disappointed in election results for the first time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Wendy's in Oak Hill, WV, when I was 16 years old. Less than a year, as I was too nervous due to untreated anxiety to present a doctor's note for a call off. (Quitting instead of proving my illness was less anxiety-inducing for some reason.)

That said I enjoyed the time I spent on the customer service side of the job, and was quite dependable prior to this. My anxiety is now under much better control, and I regret my abrupt departure.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Admittedly I don't read much, but seem to enjoy mystery type books the most. Book wise this has manifested in books about a shadowy government, and books about fictional characters finding and protecting cryptids. Show and podcast wise this means a lot of true crime, but yes also political shows, podcasts, and books.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I always overthink questions like this, but the fictional worlds I have most explored this concept in are Pokemon, as one of the few game series I have had multiple versions of, and Naruto, another series I have had multiple games of and have watched much of the show. (NOTE: Most of the content I consume is not about fictional characters or situations. Since I was a teen, I consumed content about business, politics, news, science, history, and other real or realistic content.)

In Pokemon, I don't tend to have strong preferences for or against most of the creatures, but rather develop a bond with whatever team I end up with. Legends Arceus has allowed me to develop a character that allows a good level of immersion in the world.

In Naruto, I tend to prefer those shinobi who are puppeteers, and find the Akatsuki members more interesting than the other characters, as such Sasori is the basis for a lot of original character creations from this world, though none are fully developed.

As I do attend conventions with my girlfriend/partner who cosplays (dressing up as fictional characters), it will likely occur some day that this is answered by myself cosplaying to one of the conventions.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I do have anxiety and depression, these are the basis of the vast majority of any struggle I may deal with. Motivation, and the ability to feel secure in one's actions is important; luckily I have taken the necessary steps to overcome them and can recognize whenever they are the issue.

My family has had points where we have struggled economically as well, but we are lucky to have a supportive group of friends and family to assist us through these times. Moving when necessary with the help of family to transport things, providing a yard and food for my childhood dog in his final year or two, transporting me to work, helping provide food items when needed, and helping my mother as she battled with cancer and the subsequent reconstructive surgery.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Cooperative, equal branches of government with check and balances. Showing one another respect and working with differing values and policies to achieve a better present and future. Respect and cooperation does NOT require friendship, NOR does it require one to keep critics private.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Diversification of the Economy, and Keeping/Attracting Young Adult Populations.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience in government/politics, just as with many jobs is not always necessary. It can be beneficial, it can simply be a fact about whomever is elected, or it could be a major drawback; it all depends on how the experience is viewed. What matters more is a candidate's character, and values.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, no one person can pass or stop a bill. All legislators are colleagues, perhaps some are friends and others not so much, but just like in any workplace you have to work together to achieve a common goal even when you aren't friends or disagree about certain aspects of a project.

I will not caucus in any major party's caucus, but I will meet with my colleagues on issues and work with whomever else sits with me in that capitol even if we disagree, even if we don't like each other.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Not really, I intend to be authentically myself. I'm sure when elected, there will be one or two that I could be compared to, but that will never be my goal.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No, I have flirted with and joked about other offices but these were never something I felt was the office for me to help the world in my own way. WV House of Delegates is the one office I have always been confident about as the office to improve our corner of earth.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I don't wish to share details of people's lives that aren't mine to share. But family, friends, and coworkers have discussed their viewpoints and struggles with me over the years as they were aware of my intention to run for office to improve the world at some point. In these situations I try to listen, and understand how legal or regulatory changes could benefit them or alter their experiences for the better.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

All branches of government should have robust checks and balances against the other branches. When it comes to emergency powers this is particularly important, to prevent the ability of a rogue actor from using them without necessity.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

1 - Cap Prices on More Prescriptions for Common Ailments

2 - Transfer Funds into the Flood Resiliency Fund for the First Time Ever

3 - Mandate that ANY Budget Surplus is to pay down debt and fund emergency/rainy day funds. If such is properly funded, and there is little debt, the surplus shall be made a dividend payment to families with a child under age 5.

4 - Fund an Expansion of Facilities, Service, and Ability to Care for the Fayette County Humane Society (and other Humane Societies struggling to accommodate all the animals housed with them).

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

Great, I seek expansion of the referendum process in the state and protections against reversing the voter's decision when such is decided by a decisive margin.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

I don't wish to share details of people's lives that aren't mine to share. But family, friends, and coworkers have discussed their viewpoints and struggles with me over the years as they were aware of my intention to run for office to improve the world at some point. In these situations I try to listen, and understand how legal or regulatory changes could benefit them or alter their experiences for the better.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Owning my dream pet: a Piebald Ball Python. White colored scales are absolutely gorgeous, and ball pythons (though the most common pet snake) have always been my favorite looking and moving snake. My beautiful Juliette is my baby, and my Mom's "grand-snake". She is sweet, was hatched in Tennessee to a wonderful breeder, and is so great to watch as she explores her bedroom (with my supervision).

I love all animals, and my pets are no exception. I love my dog Shaggy too, but Juliette is my first snake and an animal I've been wanting for a long time.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

Extend the Voter Registration Deadlines for Elections, allow candidates to receive the nomination of multiple political parties and for independents to run for partisan nomination, alter ballot design to decrease voter confusion, and advocate for a fractional term scheme instead of term limits as term limits promote short-term solutions and empower unelected bureaucrats.