Eddie Wagoner

Eddie Wagoner earned a high school diploma from Hudson High School, a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 2003, and a law degree from The Ohio State University in 2007. Wagoner's career experience includes working as an attorney.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am probably a lot like you. I think public servants need to put people above political parties, citizens above special interests. I do not care who scores the most points in the social media culture wars. I do care about making sure all West Virginians have great schools, functioning roads, fair and equal treatment under law, and can afford to feed their families and pay their electric bill.

In my personal life, I am an attorney practicing in a small firm in Morgantown. I grew up near Cleveland, went to law school at Ohio State, and moved to West Virginia right after I graduated in 2007. I was drawn to WV by the endless forests and natural beauty. My wife, Alana, and I have built our home here. We are the proud parents of two wonderful kids who attend Mon. County Public Schools.

I am running for office because I am disgusted with the lack of leadership and seriousness in Charleston. Since the Republicans took over, our kids have lagged further behind in education and the economic gap between our state and others has grown. Instead of tackling the tough issues, they waste time and our money on scoring points in insipid culture wars and handouts to corporate interests with the best lobbyists. I am running to restore sense and sanity to the legislature and make state government work for all of us.

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?

Public education is priority number one. Great public schools are the foundation on which we will build a better, more prosperous West Virginia. Every child deserves a quality education. I will fight to provide our teachers with the resources they need and the freedom to teach facts, science and reason.We need to grow the economy from the bottom up.

The current majority's economic plan--slashing taxes and handing out tax dollars and favors to chosen industries will not create sustainable economic growth. We saw that experiment fail in Kansas, in real time, and in recent history. Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it.

There are no shortcuts to real economic growth. It requires a stable foundation: great schools, good roads, stable government, and a good quality of life. These are the things that enable people to live here, stay here, and invest her.Individual rights must be cherished and preserved.

Over the past decade or so, the majority in the legislature has a whittled away at your rights and freedoms and continues down this path.

They have sought, or succeeded at: blurring the line between church and state; limiting your right to due process; banning books; curtailing your right to free association and protest; expanding the government's ability to take your property; eliminating access to reproductive care; and reducing your access to a jury trial.

I will protect your individual rights from the tyranny of this majority.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, civil justice reform, energy and environment.

Wagoner's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

On Government

My belief is that the three primary prerogatives of any elected official are: (1) preserve our state and federal constitutions; (2) to protect our hard earned tax dollars; and (3) only involve the government in private matters when absolutely necessary. If a proposed bill or law doesn’t further these three goals, it won’t get my vote. My opponents can’t say the same because either (a) their records demonstrate otherwise; or (b) they are promising otherwise on the campaign trail.

On The Right To Keep & Bear Arms

I believe that the Federal and State Constitutions are sacrosanct and, until amended, the law of the land. Thus, I believe that the right to keep and bear arms is plainly written and unequivocal. In other words, you have an absolute right to bear arms. If elected, I will ensure that constitutional carry is continued and should a Democrat in Washington come for your guns, I will use every power of my office to resist their illegal overreach.

On Marijuana/Cannabis

I believe that cannabis or marijuana should be legal for adults over the age of 18 for either medicinal or recreational purposes. In general, I do not believe that the federal, state, or local government have any right to tell adults what plants they can, or cannot ingest. We would all agree that it would be absurd for the government to outlaw strawberries, why is the arbitrary prohibition of marijuana any different?

On The Drug Epidemic

West Virginia, and the Nation, are facing an unprecedented drug epidemic. The problem is social and medical in nature and the solution must come from our society, social institutions and our health care professionals. The solution lies in reducing the conditions that allow-or encourage- addiction and enabling those addicted to seek help. It does not lie in locking up addicts or those that facilitate the need we have created.

On Marriage Equality

My position on marriage is that consenting adults have the right to marry whomever they so choose in whatever manner they choose. Marriage is at root a religious institution and the government has no right whatsoever to define what constitutes marriage, or does not. To the extent that the government confers certain benefits on married couples, it must confer the same benefits on same sex couples as others.[6]

—Eddie Wagoner[7]