West Virginia State House District 51

Current seat holder: Marshall W. Clay (Republican).

Colby Lopez

Colby Lopez is a 24-year-old Fayette County resident who graduated from Oak Hill High School in 2019. Lopez is a full-time retail worker. He says he wants to get elected to the House of Delegates to give back to his community. Lopez says he believes in compassion and hard work, and he says these traits will be important while serving as a delegate in the House of Delegates. His other priorities include protecting West Virginia’s nature and natural resources. Lopez points to his home of Fayette County as inspiration, because of the New River Gorge National Park and the multiple state parks in the surrounding area. Lopez also says he believes in having a fair economy for all West Virginians and fiscal moderation. Other priorities include expanding child care, veteran aid and housing stability. This is Lopez’s first time running for a state office. He ran unopposed in the primary and he will face Cy Persinger in the general election on Nov. 3.

“While it may sound crazy to some, I think I can do some good as an elected official. Specifically as an Independent-Democrat (Registered Dem; Opting against Major Party Caucuses) in the state legislature. While its hard work to legislate without a caucus, but as a member of the working class, I understand I can still make relationships and fight for what I believe in.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“Protecting our Natural Resources: our state's motto is Wild and Wonderful. The 51st district is home to and/or neighbors state parks, and the New River National Park and Reserve. We can be stewards of our earth without the need to halt our economy, we can actually take the opportunity to expand our economy. Not to mention the communities that still need clean drinking water, asbestos and lead removal, and other pollutants that our people suffer from.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“There are few areas of public policy I haven't thought out my policies passionately about, no matter how low or high word count they may be when written/typed. But I tend to focus a lot on economic policy, policy to benefit workers, small businesses, and the impoverished. Policy to alter and change an economic system that isn't built for workers, not built to allow small business owners to realize their dreams, not built to lift the poor onto the next step on the economic ladder.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)

Cy Persinger

Cy Persinger is from Fayette County. Persinger received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and he later received his master’s degree in business administration from Wesleyan. Persinger also played baseball in college and appeared in four games as a pitcher. This is Persinger’s first time running for a state office. Persinger is currently a business analyst at Rainelle Medical Center. He has said he is dedicating himself to supporting and representing his community and will listen to what residents of his district want. Persinger’s priorities include supporting working families and local businesses, as well as improving rural health care in the state. Persinger won the primary over Dan Hill and the incumbent Marshall Clay when he garnered 45.9% of the vote. Persinger will face Democratic candidate Colby Lopez in the general election on Nov. 3.

· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)

Campaign site

“Your Voice in Charleston — Rooted in our Communities” (Cy Persinger Campaign Website)
“I'm running because the people of District 51 deserve a strong, informed voice in Charleston — someone who listens, understands local challenges, and works to make a real difference for our communities .” (Cy Persinger Campaign Website)
“My Listening Tour is my commitment to getting out into our communities, attending local events, and talking directly with residents. I want to hear the issues that matter most to you.” (Cy Persinger Campaign Website)