Joseph Golden
Born in Norwalk, Connecticut on a small chicken farm, Joseph Golden earned his bachelor’s degree at Yale and his medical degree from the University of Connecticut. Before going to medical school he worked in South Carolina at a rural health center in their environmental health department. Golden has served as a doctor for decades in southern West Virginia, first at Cabin Creek Health Center before moving to Raleigh County, where he worked in rural health centers in the Winding Gulf area. Golden has retired from his medical practice, but continues to volunteer at a local free clinic.
“If we are to improve West Virginia economically as well as dealing with long term problems in our society, we need to develop and expand programs that help all the people. We need to recruit and retain essential professionals, such as public school teachers, nurses, social workers, emergency first responders, by providing state funded reduction in student loans, as long as they commit to at least 5 years of work in WV. Improve job creation, partly by raising the minimum wage from $8.75/ hour to $ 12.00/hour, by getting West Virginia workers hired to work in Infrastructure jobs.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “If West Virginia can give $315million in outright grants to a steel corporation to build a plant in West Virginia, we can find at least $30 million to put into programs that go to support people at the grass root community and county levels. Investment in people and programs that help guide and support people out of poverty, and help stabilize the financial structure of families, will pay off over the ensuing decades, by having less people and families in difficult circumstances.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “I feel the state legislature should have a greater role of fiscal oversight, and monitor audits of government programs that are under the direction of the administrative departments of the executive branch.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)Eric Brooks
Eric Brooks is the incumbent for the 45th district in the House of Delegates. Born in Beckley, he is a graduate of West Virginia University (WVU), and worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons before he retired in 2021. He has served in the House since 2022 and is the assistant majority whip. He has close relations with the NRA and is a founding member of West Virginia’s Freedom Caucus. From his time in the legislature, Brooks emphasizes his reputation as one of the most conservative lawmakers in the House. He says he is pro-second amendment, pro-life and in favor of low taxes and lowering regulations.
Campaign site
“I was born and raised in the coalfields of southern West Virginia. My dad was a coal miner, and my mom is retired from the Board of Education. My wife, Jennifer, and I have been married for nearly 30 years, and we have three wonderful adult children and one grandchild. I graduated from WVU with a degree in Sociology (Criminal Justice) in 1994 and began my career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1995. I retired in July of 2021 with 26-plus years of service. I have been blessed to serve the citizens of the 45th District since 2022.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “I want to work to transform the educational system in West Virginia. We are in the middle of the pack as a state when it comes to money spent per student. However, we are routinely 45th-50th in achievement. Our taxpayers simply are not getting the bang for their buck. We can and must do better. Our students deserve the best education possible. I believe in providing the most options possible for our parents and their children when it comes to their education.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)