My name is Michael Wendell, and two decades ago I made the choice to move to West Virginia. I’ve decided I want to try and make a great place even better by running for the WV State Legislature in 2026.
In the years I’ve been here, I’ve seen how the one-party rule in Charleston continues to do nothing to help West Virginians, or to help West Virginia. Issuing tax breaks to big businesses, taking money away from schools, and continuing to loosen the regulations that protect drinking water.
We need a change in Charleston, we need common sense, we need representatives who will put working people ahead of big businesses, put schools ahead of data centers, and protect the average West Virginian. I think I can help make that change happen, and that’s why I hope you’ll support me for Delegate in District 78.
Priorities
Education
West Virginia schools continue to rank near the bottom nationally. We need to limit legislation like the Hope scholarship that severely defund our public schools. Teachers and staff need to be paid a reasonable wage, and schools need to be funded and maintained.
Smart Growth
The party in power in Charleston seems to think that the only way to attract businesses to our state is with tax breaks and low wages. Investing in schools, roads, and infrastructure will help West Virginia attract stronger businesses that can grow here and help our communities.
Labor
We need to strengthen legislation that keeps workers safe, and encourages a balanced relationship between labor and management. Continuing to pass laws that only favor wealthy business owners will result in fewer jobs, lower wages, and more dangerous workplaces.
No AI Tax Breaks
AI datacenters are simply another extractive industry taking advantage of West Virginia, increasing our electric bills and damaging our state’s environment, while providing fewer jobs than your average McDonalds. We should be fighting datacenters, not giving them tax breaks.
Safe, Clean Water
Every state must provide its citizens with water that is clean, and safe to drink, yet many residents of West Virginia are still struggling to get a reliable source of safe, clean water. We need to make this a top priority in Charleston in the coming year, and we need to fix the problem, not just talk about it.
Healthcare
Continued erosion of health care funding, and the loss of rural providers is reaching crisis levels in our state. The legislature needs to do everything it can to make sure that every West Virginian, in every corner of the state, has access to quality, affordable health care.