Wes Holden

Wes Holden was born in West Virginia and lives in Sissonville. Holden served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He attended West Virginia State University and the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. His career experience includes working for Senator Jay Rockefeller for 30 years and eight years while Rockefeller was governor.[1]

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Campaign website

Holden’s campaign website stated the following:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND SERVICE TO CITIZENS

Social Security and Medicare are under attack.

Seniors living longer is not an excuse to cut Social Security benefits and increase Medicare premiums.

As your Congressman, I ensure the wealthy will pay their fair share of Social Security taxes by removing the current cap on taxing earnings.

I will fight to keep Social Security and Medicare from being privatized and run for profit rather than for the public good.

Similar to the VA, Medicare should be allowed to negotiate the price of drugs to make prescriptions more affordable. Our drug costs are nearly two and a half times higher than the average price in Canada.

Why should Big Pharma CEOs earn salaries of one hundred twenty-five million dollars, and why should drug companies make billion dollar profits each year?

Seniors should not be forced to forego medications due to excessive pricing.

This kind of corporate greed has tragic consequences for seniors and all consumers.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, West Virginia has been given a golden ticket for a better future, IF we use the $6 billion wisely.

Just imagine with the expansion of high speed broadband, the unlimited economic opportunities available to small entrepreneurs and new businesses.

And what a difference it will make, especially in our coalfield counties, when good paying and possible union jobs are created.

Job training provided by a strengthened educational system will ensure a well-qualified work force.

To entice new businesses to our rural areas, we will diversify our economy by creating new jobs and careers in fields such as mining reclamation, construction and tourism. As your Congressman, I will make the economic conditions of our communities and counties in Congressional District 1 a number 1 priority.

I will work wisely and strategically every day to make things better for everyone.

WHY I’M RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT

I, like many West Virginians, have never been more dissatisfied with the two major political parties over the past few years, even less enthusiastic about their Presumptive presidential candidates.

Trust in the two parties is at historic lows. The broken political establishments of both parties know it.

It is unlikely that either party will listen to the majority of West Virginians.

I have found that a majority of voters want a third party choice in congress for 2024. That makes the 2024 congressional race categorically different than any other in history, with a clear path to victory for a third party candidate.

I have decided to run as an Independent, whose allegiance will be to ordinary citizens; not PACs, special interests or political machines. Those that say an Independent cannot win because it has never been done before, are only naysayers.

I say to those skeptics, I am putting my shoulder against the wheel of history and pushing those critics out of the way because I am the best candidate for the job. This election, I’m asking you to join me and let’s make history together.

VETERANS & PUBLIC SERVICE

My ancestors fought in the American Revolution and in the Civil War, motivated by their unquenchable thirst for freedom and liberty.

During the Vietnam War, I joined the United States Army out of respect for my family’s tradition of serving our country.

My draft number was 365, which meant I had no risk of being drafted.

I held up my right hand and swore to uphold the Constitution, which, to me, is binding for life.

I was sent to Germany instead of Vietnam, and while there, I was awarded one of our nation’s highest awards for heroism.

When I worked for Senator Rockefeller, I helped many Veterans obtain the disability benefits and health care they deserved.

While helping Veterans, I learned of many unfair regulations and processing holdups. I shared these difficulties with Senator Rockefeller, and some of my suggestions resulted in changes in regulations or legislation.

I’m Wes Holden. As your Congressman, I will always work to help Veterans receive the benefits, health care, and respect they deserve.

HEALTH & SAFETY

I’m Wes Holden. I have always supported coal miners. I recognize there is no substitute for mining metallurgical coal to make steel.

Transitioning to green energy won’t happen overnight, and we cannot forget the West Virginia counties that depend on coal revenue.

Let’s not confuse the real issue: miners need better pay and safer working conditions.

A recent audit of the MSHA revealed that mine inspectors failed to complete over 1,500 mandatory mine inspections within the past three years.

Our congressional representatives clearly care more about coal profits than coal miners.

They cut funding for mine inspections. They voted against lowering limits for silica dust that miners breathe in.

They opposed a permanent extension of the excise tax on mined coal, the primary revenue source for the Black Lung Trust Fund.

It’s time for change. I will fight corporations who view miners as expendable assets to be exploited to increase corporate profits.[7]

—Wes Holden’s campaign website (2024)[8]

Holden's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Improving Our Economy

1. The State needs to implement Land Acquisition and Site Development. A low interest revolving loan needs to be set up for buying land, funds will be used to develop it for building plants and facilities on the land for new industry. The initial investment will form a revolving loan fund. Loans will form a revolving loan fund. Loans will be repaid by the communities as they sell or lease their new industrial parcels. Thus the revolving fund will grow to be used again and again in future loans.

Education

Our future is only as bright as the children that we raise. The education of our children should always be on the forefront of the political agenda. As your Representative I will: Fight to ensure schools in the 39th District receive their fair share of State Dollars for improvements. • Push for better and less expensive broadband access. • Work to make sure that teachers have the resources they need to teach and lessen paperwork requirements. • Prevent PEIA from cutting benefits for teachers and State employees. • Strengthen school bus safety laws and increase fines for those drivers who disregard the law and put our children in jeopardy.

Public safety

The dangerous drug epidemic that is engulfing our communities also needs immediate attention. Too many families are being destroyed, to not have a plan of action. I will: Work to establish more rehabilitation facilities for addicts and better treatment options. • Ensure law enforcement has the resources to rid communities of drug dealers and reduce drug-related crime. • Follow the example that the City of Huntington is doing to work with drug addicts. • Pass legislation to implement the 24/7 Sobriety Program and the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) for drug abusers and alcoholics.

Healthcare

These are the immediate issues that I plan to address concerning the problems our local Senior Citizens are facing. I will: Fight for more resources to prevent our seniors from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous scam artists.

Work to preserve and expand the State "Lighthouse" program which provides assistance to allow seniors to live in their homes and not be institutionalized.

Increase reimbursement rates for in-home senior programs through the State. Prevent PEIA from increasing costs for our retirees.

Stand up to corporations seeking to eliminate health care and retirement plans for seniors

Veterans Affairs

Our brave veterans face unnecessary troubles and battles on a daily basis. As a veteran myself I plan to: • Work with Veterans' leaders, State and Federal officials to construct a new State nursing home in southern West Virginia. • Require that State agencies hire more Veterans. • Assist local businesses in the hiring of Veterans. • Reduce percentage of State income tax for retired military personnel pensions. • Exempt state taxes for totally disabled combat Veterans. • Help Veterans transition back home by reducing paperwork for on the military job training and experienced while serving their country. • Provide assistance for Veterans/National Guard families as they transition back to their communities.[7]

—Wes Holden[9]