WHEELING - Republican congressional candidate Patricia VanGilder Levenson said she has read all 2,000 pages of the proposed health care reform legislation.
She calls it "alarming."
"I am really concerned when government starts determining what is in our own best interest," Levenson said. "We do need reform, but the Medicare program is going broke. So now they think, 'Lets expand it."'
She noted she has "been watching the political arena" in recent years, and what she sees doesn't match what she learned in high school civics class.
And that is why she is making a run for West Virginia's 1st District congressional seat presently held by Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va.
"I'm confused and mistrustful of what is happening in Washington," Levenson said. "I never thought I would see the day that government would take over private sector banks. They have gone outside what I thought that was the traditional role of government.
"I think now is the time to take a stand and give West Virginia a voice in Washington," she added.
Levenson, 62, of Wheeling and her husband, Robert, were associated with the former Reichart's store in the downtown. In recent years, the couple lived in North Carolina and Georgia, but they have returned to the Friendly City.
While living down south, Levenson helped run the family's furniture business and worked as an interior decorator and realtor.
"I've met a payroll and know about staying within a budget," she said.
Levenson believes the average American has fewer opportunities and choices about their lives today than they had in the past.
"I believe in the ability to earn an honest living," she said. "And we have to keep government out of our lives."
Levenson opposes "cap and trade" legislation currently before Congress, noting it doesn't make the best use of West Virginia's natural resources.
"Every region should be able to develop their own natural resources," she said. "West Virginians produce the coal and natural gas that powers America, yet we remain one of the poorest economies in the nation. That doesn't make sense."
She terms herself "hardworking, focused and stubborn."
"I do research," she said. "If there is a difficult situation, I will research it."
Husband Robert said he admires her resolve.
"She has the ability to sit down and read a 2,000-page bill," he said. "That takes tremendous attentive abilities. That's something I don't have."