Laura Wakim Chapman Launches Bid for West Virginia Senate
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WHEELING -- Laura Wakim Chapman is an attorney and mother who solves problems daily, and she said that learned quality makes her well-suited for the West Virginia Senate.
Chapman, 37, announced Thursday she will run as a Republican in 2022 for the 1st District state senate seat currently occupied by Sen. Owens Brown, D-Ohio.
Chapman's announcement came at Table 304, a mother-daughter owned small business in downtown Wheeling. She said she hopes to focus on small businesses, economic development and jobs as senator, as well as roads and broadband expansion.
While a first-time candidate, Chapman isn't new to the local political scene.
Her father, Chris Wakim, was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2002, and re-elected in 2004.
Her husband, attorney Matthew Chapman, is a former chairman of the Ohio County Republican Party.
Chapman said she is being asked why she is running for Senate when she has two small children -- son Jackson, 5; and daughter Eloise, 4.
"They are the reasons why I am running," she explained. "I want them to be able to start a family and have a career here in the Northern Panhandle if they so choose.
"I am also running for you and your children and grandchildren."
Chapman termed herself "lucky" in that she was able to make the choice to stay in Ohio County and have a family and career.
"It wasn't a particularly difficult decision," she said. "As a graduate of Mt. deChantal and West Virginia University, I understood it's an amazing state, a great community and great place to raise a family."
Senate Majority Whip Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, introduced Chapman Thursday. He said he, Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, and other GOP leaders had been discussing among themselves who might be a good candidate for the 1st District.
Weld said he then remembered a series of thoughtful texts he had received from Chapman pertaining to education during the pandemic, and how children were falling behind on learning because they weren't with their teachers.
"Obviously, it's pretty important we get a good candidate," Weld said. "Unlike some of the districts who are just going to elect a Republican no matter what … it's not like that in the 1st District. We had to put thought into someone who is going to do the work on the campaign trail, and also when they got into office."
Weld said he believed Chapman was a good fit.
"She is passionate. She is invested here. She and her husband live here and they have children in the school system.
"She has experience with what the legislature is like."
Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, who represents the 2nd Senate District, said he believes Chapman knows what to do to take the state forward.
"She understands how far we have come just in the last few years," he said. "And we need to continue that progress.
"I see a lot of good things happening in West Virginia. So many things are on the cusp of happening here," Clements said.