photo by: Joselyn King

West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore addresses those attending the West Virginia Republican Party’s “Victory in Unity Tour” at Nicky’s Garden Center in Wheeling Thursday.

WHEELING — West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore — also an announced candidate for U.S. House in 2024 — contends the U.S. Department of Education needs to be eliminated, and the money saved given to parents who want to seek school alternatives for their children.

Moore served as guest speaker for the West Virginia Republican Party’s “Victory in Unity” reception Thursday night at Nicky’s Garden Center in Wheeling.

During his remarks he touched on rebuilding America’s base family values, noting that West Virginia and the nation “are in spiritual peril” and in need of help.

He was asked what individuals can do to push for the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and “help parents get their rights back.”

He spoke of how as state treasurer he presides over the state’s Hope Scholarship, which provides the families of West Virginia money to put toward home school, private or parochial education for their child.

“I not only am running the program, I am using the program,” Moore told those present. “One of my children is in it now. They go to Catholic school. I am Catholic, and I want my children to get a Christian education.

“Educational choice and freedom is the way we get out of this (educational decline), and it makes the education system more competitive. If the public education system wants those dollars, they need to compete for them. Because right now, people are not satisfied with the product.”

He suggested Congress make moves to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education “in totality and return the money to the states.”

“They should then set aside part of it for national school choice,” Moore said. “Because how are we going to save the kids who are out in California, New York. …We’ve got to have national school choice, and have that money come back to the states.

“We don’t need the Department of Education. Ever since (former president) Jimmy Carter put it there, you’ve seen our test scores plummet year after year. I’m tired of the federal government controlling the outcomes of our children. They get worse and worse every year.”

Moore is expected to face a primary challenge from Joe Earley of Bridgeport, West Virginia.

West Virginia GOP Chairwoman Elgine McArdle said next year’s Republican primaries in the state were “going to be lively,” and she encouraged voters to do their research.

The “Victory in Unity” reception in Wheeling Thursday night was the first in a series set to happen across the state in the coming days. Others are scheduled for Charleston, Martinsburg and in the Greenbrier-Lewisburg area.

“If we are not united, we will not prevail,” she told the party faithful. “We must win from the courthouse to the White House.”

Those who live in Wheeling “know the city needs a major overhaul, and needs to be uprooted,” McArdle continued.

Although municipal elections are nonpartisan, McArdle said the GOP is looking for a block of candidates representing all wards to run for both city council and mayor next year.

“We cannot afford to lose Wheeling,” she added.

She also called for the defeat next year of “the two Joes” — Democrats President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia.

The GOP will be actively recruiting conservative candidates for all offices on the ballot, McArdle said.