With the West Virginia general election approaching, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Williams and U.S. Senate candidate Glenn Elliott are emphasizing the importance of raising the voices of marginalized communities who often feel overlooked. Speaking at an NAACP-hosted forum in Charleston, Williams, the mayor of Huntington, and Elliott, former mayor of Wheeling, rallied support from groups representing the Black community, women, and those experiencing poverty, among others.
Williams, a three-term mayor recognized for addressing Huntington’s opioid crisis and improving the city’s financial health, shared his goal to expand his successes statewide.
If I can do it in Huntington, we can do it in West Virginia, he asserted, highlighting his commitment to creating opportunities for all residents. Although financially outpaced by his opponent, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Williams remains determined, recently launching his first TV ad and preparing for an upcoming debate.
Meanwhile, Elliott, known for progressive initiatives in Wheeling, criticized his opponent, Gov. Jim Justice, for prioritizing national campaign efforts over local debates.
Elliott underscored his commitment to bipartisan solutions on issues like public health and human rights. Both candidates aim to mobilize voters, especially those who feel left out by current leadership, urging attendees to take active roles in the democratic process.
Community leaders echoed this sentiment, calling the upcoming election the most important of our lifetime and encouraging unity across diverse advocacy groups to drive impactful change through voting.