West Virginia State House District 40

Current seat holder: Roy Cooper (Republican).

Jennifer Gilkerson

Jennifer Gilkerson is a farmer and small business owner who lives in Monroe County, West Virginia. Gilkerson graduated from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College with an associate’s degree in 1998. Sixteen years ago, Gilkerson, along with her husband, founded Sunset Berry Farm, where they still work today. Gilkerson, along with the town of Alderson, started the Alderson Strawberry Festival with the goal of celebrating the region’s agricultural history. Gilkerson is the president of the West Virginia Agritourism Association, which aims to increase economic opportunities and to provide quality outdoor recreational activities in West Virginia. This is Gilkerson’s first time running for office. Her goals for getting involved in politics are to help protect farmland in the state, help to improve the education system in West Virginia and to help support and strengthen local businesses. Gilkerson ran unopposed in the primary and will face the incumbent, Roy G. Cooper, in the general election.

· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)

Campaign site

“Through my work on the farm, I became the first farmer in West Virginia to accept SNAP EBT online, helping make fresh food more accessible for families. I started the Alderson Strawberry Festival, in partnership with the Town of Alderson and Alderson Main Street, to celebrate our region's agricultural heritage. I currently serve as President of the West Virginia Agritourism Association, working to expand economic opportunities, provide quality outdoor recreation, and highlight West Virginia's rich agricultural heritage.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“Agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy and heritage of Monroe and Summers Counties. Family farms help preserve farmland, support local businesses, and maintain the rural character of our communities. Supporting family farms and agricultural entrepreneurship can create opportunities for farmers to diversify and keep more income within the local economy. Expanding agritourism and local markets can attract visitors while supporting small farms. Strengthening local food systems also improves access to fresh, locally grown food and builds stronger connections between farmers and the community.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“I love hearing from residents of Monroe and Summers County, so feel free to reach out!” (Jennifer Gilkerson Campaign Website)

Roy G. Cooper

Roy Cooper was born in Warford, West Virginia, on March 5, 1945. He served in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1981. He received his associate’s degree from Tidewater Community College in business management, and he later received his bachelor’s degree in education from Concord College in 1985. Cooper was an elementary school teacher in Summers County from 1985-2007. Cooper is currently a farmer. Cooper was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2012. If he is reelected, this will be his seventh term. This is Cooper’s ninth general election, all of which were for the House of Delegates. Cooper first ran for the House of Delegates in 2010 when he lost to Democrat incumbent Gerald Crosier. Cooper’s priorities are to lower the state budget; he is in support of giving more support to veterans and he wants to further support agriculture in the state of West Virginia.

“We will not abandon these guarantees of individual liberty in the pursuit of hollow 'solutions' that will not solve the current issue, much less guarantee freedom to the generations that will follow us.” (West Virginia Legislature News Release (wvlegislature.gov))
“Legislators calling for 'red flag' laws are preying upon the fear generated by the actions of madmen that would carry out their acts regardless of any laws this State would enact. What is clear to us is the breakdown of the family will not be overcome by well-intentioned but misplaced legislation that does nothing to solve the core issues that lead to these tragedies.” (West Virginia Legislature News Release (wvlegislature.gov))
“While we will join in thoughtful consideration of any serious proposals to combat the evil acts plaguing our nation, we will remember Benjamin Franklin's solemn warning that 'Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” (West Virginia Legislature News Release (wvlegislature.gov))