Incumbent Weld Goes Up Against Challenger Swartzmiller for W.Va. Senate District 1 Seat
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Swartzmiller
WHEELING -- Two accomplished political veterans want the opportunity to represent many local communities in the West Virginia Senate, and voters will choose one of them in the Nov. 3 general election.
The race for the 1st District West Virginia Senate seat sees incumbent Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, being challenged by Delegate Randy Swartzmiller, D-Hancock.
"I would like to get back to where people have trust in their elected officials again, and when they go to Charleston they go to accomplish something -- and not have to fight for their livelihoods," Swartzmiller said.
The 1st Senate District encompasses all of Hancock, Brooke and Ohio counties, and the eastern side of Marshall County.
There are 34 members of the West Virginia Senate, and each represents approximately 105,000 residents in their senate district. Each district has two senators, with one seat on the ballot this year.
"I have 105,000 bosses, and I work extremely hard for all of them," Weld said. "I am happy to run on my record."
* Weld, 40, was elected to the Senate in 2016, and is completing his first four-year term in the chamber this year. Prior to serving in the Senate, he was elected to terms in the House of Delegates in 2012 and 2014.
He currently holds the position of majority whip in the Senate -- the third highest-ranking leadership position in the chamber behind the senate president and majority leader. He also serves as chairman of the Senate Military Committee, and vice chair of the judiciary, education, and workforce committees.
Weld is an attorney and U.S. Air Force veteran, and he presently holds the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
He has focused on three issues while serving in the Legislature -- substance abuse in the state, mental health and veterans affairs.
Weld said voters should re-elect him because of his "record of getting things done."
He has passed 39 pieces of legislation during his four years in the Senate, and many have focused on substance abuse.
"I went to the Senate and made big changes," Weld said. "I led the legislative efforts in how this state addresses substance abuse.
"Bills I have introduced have addressed the issue from a criminal perspective and holding drug dealers accountable — not just for the drugs they sell, but for any deaths they caused.
"But you are never going to arrest your way out of this problem. So we also addressed it on access to treatment, and the availability of treatment for substance abuse."
But isn't just in Charleston where Weld said he gets things done.
"It's here at home, too," he said. "When my constituents call me, I answer. When they email me, I respond. I get them the help they deserve - not just from their legislator, but from their government."
Weld and his wife Alex, executive director of Wheeling Heritage, reside in Wellsburg.
* Swartzmiller, 60, describes himself as a "hands-on people person" who relates to the everyday issues faced by those in his district.
He first served in the House from 2000 until 2014, where he rose to be chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, assistant House majority whip and held the position of Speaker Pro Tempore. He returned to the House in 2018.
Swartzmiller was a third-generation steelworker for 20 years before changes in the industry forced him to change his career direction. For the past 16 years Swartzmiller has worked at Ergon-WV, a petrochemical facility located in Newell. His responsibilities there include overseeing regulatory security programs and property management.
"The people in Hancock and Brooke counties know me," he said. "I've always fought for people. I was handed layoff slips over the years … lost my health care and pension. I can relate to what people are going through.
"I'm a blue-collar fighter. I know how difficult it can be. I think that's the biggest thing about me. I'm a people person."
He said he has always stayed focused on the issues most affecting the people he represents.
"It seems the direction my opponent and the way the Legislature is going the last few years is catering to the out-of-state corporations. I feel like I'm the exact opposite of that," Swartzmiller said. "What really matters at the end of the day is the people of the state — the taxpayers."
Swartzmiller said over the next four year he would like to focus on eliminating the political divide in both the Legislature and the state.
"You saw what happened when we didn't give the working men and women of the state a seat at the table - with the teachers strike, when the working men and women were down in Charleston fighting for a prevailing wage," he said. "We all need to be working together, and not putting wedges in there."
Swartzmiller and his wife Jeanmarie reside in Chester.