Stakem, Hinebaugh Compete For W.Va. District 5 Delegate Seat
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WHEELING - A new delegate will represent District 5 in the West Virginia House of Delegates starting in 2027.
Republican Beth Hinebaugh and Democrat Karen Shuler-Stakem face each other in the Nov. 3 general election. The winner will succeed Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, who is instead seeking a state senate seat.
"Affordability" and curbing rising prices are important to both women.
"My priorities are pretty simple," Stakem said. "I'm about good jobs, strong schools, making our life more affordable and improving our quality of life here."
To improve the quality of life, she suggests the state should invest in schools and infrastructure.
"I also think you continue to invest in tourism, and I think our area is ripe for that," Stakem added.
She noted Wheeling has the Nailers hockey team and a symphony, as well as a long slate of fairs and festivals.
"I think you also improve the quality of life by getting people to stay here," Stakem continued. "We need people to stay in West Virginia and move back home.
"When we talk about affordability, it's all about the numbers. We have to have people stay in West Virginia. We are losing at a huge rate, and we need to reverse that trend."
Hinebaugh noted she has spent much time in recent months talking to constituents and listening to their concerns.
"I understand all the challenges that families are facing because I've been there," she said. "I want everybody to know that I am going to be a person that is going to listen, and that I will be accessible. I will do my homework on the issues, and I will take that to Charleston to represent our communities.
"I don't think everything has to be Republican or Democrat. We just have to figure out a way to do what is right for our communities."
Where They Come From
Hinebaugh is the mother of eight grown children and has 16 grandchildren. She and her husband Ed also are presently fostering a 3-year-old daughter.
The couple owns Noah's Ark Childcare, as well as the Fulton Fun Factory , Hinebaugh Development and Hinebaugh Athletics.
Hinebaugh graduated from Brooke High School before achieving an associate’s degree from West Virginia Northern Community College. She worked many years in law enforcement and also has a background as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
Along the way, she has also done fitness training and coached youths.
A native of Wellsburg, Hinebaugh has lived in Wheeling since 1995. Hinebaugh noted she grew up in a military family and was “an Air Force child” who often moved.
Stakem is the granddaughter of Thais Blatnik, a former member of both the House of Delegates and the West Virginia Senate. Her sister is Amy Shuler-Goodwin, the mayor of Charleston.
The Wheeling Park High School graduate holds both an undergraduate and a master’s degree from West Virginia University in political science.
Stakem and her husband Eric have three grown children and operate "Hole 'N Run" family business in Wheeling. She works from home as a public affairs consultant. Much of her focus is helping municipal governments to obtain federal grants and working with non-profits.
Stakem has served as president of the board for YWCA Wheeling, and she is a member of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority. And although her children are no longer school students, Stakem remains a member of the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) at Woodsdale Elementary School.
What Sets You Apart In This Race?
Stakem explained her background sets her apart in the race, and that she does have a legislative background.
"I have worked in that environment before, and I do understand what it takes to get a bill introduced," she said. "I understand what committee work looks like. I understand what it takes to build coalitions to pass legislation."
Stakem added she also has worked in constituent and understands that should be the focus of any legislator.
"We have lost some of that, and that's where my background is," she said. "Also, when it comes to the economy and economic development, I did work on trade missions and have a little bit of an economic development background, as well."
Hinebaugh termed herself a "well-rounded candidate."
"I have had years owning and operating my own small businesses that we have started from scratch. We started from nothing and brought them to the successful businesses they are today."
Recent months saw her advocating for changes in how childcare centers are reimbursed by state government. The funding previously was based on attendance, but now it is based on enrollment.
"I have been working with families and advocating for our community, so I have a lot of experience doing that already. I have been going to Charleston and going to D.C. to advocate for the people of the Ohio Valley. I feel like that is huge."
Biggest Issues Facing West Virginians
Both candidates said affordability is the biggest issue with which West Virginians are struggling.
"When I am out knocking on doors, one of the things I continually hear is about the affordability of continuing to live here and the affordability of keeping our children here," Hinebaugh said.
"That brings us back to economic development. We need to find a way to bring jobs back to our area. We need to take a serious look at what modern manufacturing can bring back to our area and what that entails. We're not going to bring back every industry like it was 40 years ago, but that doesn't mean we can't bring manufacturing to the area."
Advancements in manufacturing and energy-related jobs that pay good wages are needed, and she suggested that existing small businesses also need to be supported.
"Everybody is talking about how expensive things are, but our population loss is huge," Stakem said. "We are at a crossroads with education. We need to figure out our school funding formula to make sure our schools are funded properly."
West Virginia also has the lowest workforce participating rate, she noted.
"We've got to get people back in the workforce, and I think you do that by improving childcare options," Stakem said. "You do that by continuing to invest in programs like the West Virginia Invests grant program (a college assistance program). You invest in the Promise Scholarship. And I think you also work to support local apprentice programs where you are getting highly skilled workers who can earn a living wage at good quality jobs."