As the primary election comes upon us, I want to express to you what I observed during the legislative session from Delegate Diana Winzenreid. She was selected by Gov. Jim Justice from three nominees of the Ohio Republican Executive Committee to fill the House of Delegates 4th District seat after Erikka Storch resigned. During my 10 years in office, there have only been a handful of new Delegates each year who make me think, “wow, they are a really hard worker.”

Delegate Winzenreid read every single bill, and she scheduled meetings with me and other members to understand the intentions of the bills. She formulated her own opinions. She was not swayed by lobbyists, but she considered the impact the legislation would have on our state and especially her community. She did not support a bill if it was poorly drafted and hard to improve just through the amendment process.

As a new member to the Health and Human Resources Committee, she gathered as much information as she could to understand the construction of the former DHHR and the way it was separated in 2023. She offered good insight into foster care and domestic violence issues as well as advocating for the Alzheimer’s community, because she has served in roles related to those groups.

Delegate Winzenreid also introduced several bills, which is not typical for an appointed member to do in their first year. Most are just trying to find their way around the Capitol and understand how the whole process works. She had seven bills pass. Her legislation dealt with for a variety of topics including Alzheimer’s Disease, domestic violence, veterans, election integrity, foster care, animal cruelty, witness tampering, childcare, roads and license plate fees, education and apprenticeships, personal property rights and protecting private information on the internet. Her bills were not self-serving.

In conclusion, I wanted to provide a peek behind the curtain from a fellow legislator. The committee and the governor got this appointment right. All you can ask for in your representative is for a hard worker, someone who cares, who is not self-serving but interested in what their constituents want and need. This person is Diana Winzenreid.

I ask you to support her in the May 14 Republican primary election. Thank you for your consideration.

Delegate Amy Summers, MSN, RN, is a Republican from Taylor County. She serves as Chair of the WV House of Delegates Health and Human Resources Committee and previously served as House Majority Leader.