Photo by Joselyn King Johnny Haught, left, and Vince DeGeorge, organizers for “Where Do We Go From Here?,” discuss the “End Of The World” community and political event the group has planned for Thursday night at Waterfront Hall in downtown Wheeling.

WHEELING – Community organizers are asking the public to come get to know each other, make friends, and meet this year’s political candidates at an “End Of The World” party happening this week in Wheeling.

The community improvement group “Where Do We Go From Here?” is organizing the event, set for 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Waterfront Hall in Wheeling. The event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

“Where Do We Go From Here?” is the same group responsible for bringing U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, to speak in Wheeling last year.

Organizers are looking to “connect people” as the 2026 election cycle approaches, explained Vince DeGeorge with “Where Do We Go From Here?”

“We are hosting it so people can find ‘their people,’ their candidates, and have a good time,” he said. “As much as anything, we want people to come out and find their community.

“In these stressful times, it seems we can’t always rely on politics or parties or even candidates. But we can rely on each other.”

DeGeorge noted there will be both Democrat and Republican candidates for office present, and each will get two minutes to speak.

Those expected to attend are Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Jeff Kessler; Democratic candidates for West Virginia’s District 2 U.S. House seat Ace Parsi, Stephanie Tomana, and Steve Wendelin; Democratic candidate for West Virginia Senate in District 2 Chris Claypole; Republican candidate for State Senate in District 2, Bob Dobkin; Independent candidate for West Virginia House of Delegates District 3, Dave Cantrell, Democratic candidate for Delegate District 6, Cody Cumpston; and Democratic candidate for Delegate District 7, Sarah Reggi.

Additionally, about a dozen local community groups will be represented and providing information about the services they provide. Those confirmed to participate are The Friendlier City Project, Ohio Valley Mutual Aid, the Mountain Party, Ohio County Democratic Women, the WALS Foundation, Why Don’t You Stay Awhile, Wheeling Democratic Socialists of America, Laughlin Memorial Chapel and West Liberty University Young Democrats.

“We are advocating for people’s needs,” DeGeorge continued. “The only issues we are advocating for are those people are facing – whether they are Democratic, Republican or Independent. These include the cost of living, food, health care, childcare and rent.

“All of those are getting more expensive, while the safety net is getting cut out from under people.”

Johnny Haught, owner and trainer at Ohio Valley MMA, will be speaking on the importance of “activism in the modern age” during the event.

“I believe we can be an extension of our elected officials,” he explained. “We can be more boots on the ground here while they are off fighting for us in D.C. or Charleston. We just can’t lean on them to do all the work. There have to be leaders in each community to be that expansion.”

“That’s people power,” DeGeorge added.