Michael Wendell
Micheal Wendell is the Democratic candidate vying to represent District 78 in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Wendell was born and grew up in New Jersey but moved to West Virginia about two decades ago. He works in software development for a member association that supports and represents United States service men and women, specifically those in the Air Force and Space Force. Some of Wendell’s campaign priorities include education, smart growth, labor, clean water and healthcare. He says he would like for teachers and staff to be paid a reasonable wage and for schools to be funded and well-maintained. He says he would also like every individual in West Virginia to have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Wendell will face Republican Eugene Micheal Chiarelli (Geno Chiarelli) in the general election.
· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)
Campaign site
“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 West Virginia State Legislature in 2026.”
(Michael Wendell Campaign Website) “I've seen how 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.”
(Michael Wendell Campaign Website) “We need a change in Charleston, we need common sense, we need representatives who will put working people ahead of corporations, 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.”
(Michael Wendell Campaign Website)Eugene Chiarelli
Eugene Michael Chiarelli, also known as Geno Chiarelli, is the incumbent Republican candidate for House of Delegates District 78. He is from Morgantown. Prior to entering public service, Chiarelli worked as a substance abuse counselor and child protective services worker in Marion County. He currently has a lead role with business development and public affairs at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital. He says his priorities include empowering the business community, improving quality of life in Morgantown, advancing healthcare, protecting children and creating opportunities for families in southeast Monongalia County. He has sponsored several bills in the House. Most recently, in 2026, Chiarelli was a sponsor on three bills that became law, including House Bill 4412, requiring certain websites to utilize age verification methods to prevent minors from accessing content; House Bill 5582, extending program for drug screening of applicants for TANF; and House Bill 5622, regarding amendments to city charters. Chiarelli will face Democratic candidate Michael Wendell in November.
“The opioid crisis needs to be our number one focus because we can't build a healthy and functioning society with a pervasive sickness running rampant. We need to renew our dedication to building a society that promotes Christian family values. Our government needs to establish industry practices that make West Virginia more attractive to outside businesses.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “Given my past in child protective services and my current experience in substance abuse counseling, I am personally passionate about working to undo the damage done by the opioid epidemic. I can see what it has done to our communities and I'd bet that there isn't a single West Virginia who doesn't know someone personally affected by the opioid crisis if they haven't been affected themselves.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “More than anything or anyone, I look up to the Lord Jesus Christ. It was through finding Christ that I found the passion and desire to run for public office. While I'll fall miles short of Him, I can only hope to imitate a mere fraction of His grace. Second, I look up to my mother. She has fought tooth and nail to give me the life that I've had, and even with all of the ups and downs, she never stopped working. I have yet to see someone with a similar work ethic and I try and make her proud each and every day.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)