With the midterm elections now behind us, West Virginians are turning their attention toward 2024 and the opportunity to send a principled conservative to the Governor’s mansion. In a race that is still yet to begin, one name stands out among should-be contenders: West Virginia State Auditor John “J.B.” McCuskey.

McCuskey is a lifelong West Virginian, a proven conservative, a respected lawyer, a small business owner, and most of all, an experienced elected leader who has been there for us. He is one of us. He is a devoted dad to his two young girls, a dedicated husband and a man rooted in faith. McCuskey has been serving West Virginia for a decade, first in the House of Delegates, and now as State Auditor where he has made it his mission to guarantee transparent and accountable government, a rarity in today’s political climate.

During his tenure as State Auditor, McCuskey has made West Virginia one of the most transparent states in America. In addition to advocating for lower taxes, under McCuskey’s watch, West Virginians can now access live data to see exactly how their tax dollars are being spent. McCuskey founded the Public Integrity and Fraud Unit, a watchdog program that has prosecuted more than 40 felons and saved the state and our taxpayers more than $2 million by uncovering fraudulent activities within local governments. Auditor McCuskey also established a first-of-its kind platform to track government spending and prevent abuse of taxpayer dollars. Through innovative ideas, efficiencies and technology, McCuskey has returned more than $100 million to general revenue and back into our communities.

McCuskey is a leader who gets things done. He has made it his mission to reform the state bureaucracy into a smaller, efficient, effective platform by which our people and their businesses can thrive. He worked with mayors and county commissioners throughout the state to solve a decades old problem of slum and blight. Less than a year later, this effort has already been set into motion making our neighborhoods safer and more desirable places to live and raise our families.

Smaller, better government, transparent and accountable decisions, and a commitment to the values that make us all mountaineers are the things that should be the prerogative of any gubernatorial candidate and are McCuskey’s priority. He is a proven servant leader and there is no doubt that he would continue to put West Virginians first if ever elected to higher office.

As elected leaders, we have seen McCuskey’s work ethic and we know he can win. Anyone with a vested interest in West Virginia’s future should encourage J.B. McCuskey to enter the race for governor. It is time for us to elect a governor who puts service ahead of fame, who protects taxpayers and local governments and who embodies our West Virginia values; it is our opinion that J.B. McCuskey would be the ideal candidate.

Signed by:

Sean Sikora, President, Monongalia County Commission

Tom Joyce, Mayor of Parkersburg

Andy Skidmore, President, Putnam County Commission

Scott James, Mayor of St. Albans

Greg Pucket, Mercer County Commissioner

Scott Edwards, Mayor of Hurricane

Sean Forney, Morgan County Commissioner

Jerry Marco, Mayor of Elkins

Robert Devaul, Marion County Commissioner

Serefino Noletti, Mayor of Logan

Lance Wheeler, Kanawha County Commissioner

Amber Miller-Belcher, City Manager, Logan

Seth Gaskins, Mason County Prosecutor