West Virginia State House District 85

Current seat holder: John Paul Hott (Republican).

Deborah Stiles

Deborah Stiles Her campaign platform focuses on five key points: affordability, local institutions, education, agriculture and economic development. According to her campaign website, Stiles wants to tackle the rising costs in West Virginia, “from food to housing to healthcare.” She also points to the importance of supporting local institutions such as fire departments, emergency services and libraries. She says funding for public schools needs addressed and limitations should be placed on the Hope Scholarship program. Other priorities include expanding agriculture opportunities and encouraging economic development while also “protecting clean water and protecting the natural beauty that also fuels the economy through tourism.”

· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)

Campaign site

“Most of West Virginia's farms are small family operations - but ALL, no matter their size, need our support. Challenges abound in West Virginia's agricultural and food system, but our potential is bound-less! I want to work to improve the bottom line (the profitability and success) of our farmers, while helping to ensure that all West Virginians can access more healthy food, fiber, and energy produced by our West Virginia farmers.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“Two things matter most to me: making sure our West Virginia farmers (and this includes ag, food, fiber, forestry and related businesses) have the legal, policy and regulatory "tools" they need for success; and that ALL West Virginians can access, affordably, all their food, fiber, goods and energy needs as well as a healthy food supply: made up primarily and predominantly of West Virginia producers.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“Works by Thomas Jefferson, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Wendell Berry, Marilyn Waring, and Vandana Shiva inform my political philosophy, among many others.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)

Alex Bosley

Alex Bosley is the Republican candidate for House of Delegates District 85. He will face Democrat Deborah Stiles in the November general election. Bosley is a conservative. According to his Facebook page, he was endorsed by West Virginian’s for Life PAC, a pro life group, as well as the West Virginia Farm Bureau PAC, to which Bosley wrote on Facebook, “agriculture is an important part of West Virginia’s heritage, economy and future.” Bosley was also endorsed by HOSPAC and IUOE Local 132, according to his Facebook page. Bosley supports the second amendment. He says his priorities include lowering the cost of living and creating greater opportunities for West Virginians. If elected, he would serve Grant and Tucker counties.