www.theintelligencer.net
JOSELYN KING
April 10, 2024
A grassroots political group hosted a political forum Tuesday, and 19 candidates – representing local, state and federal offices – turned out to speak.
The event was sponsored by the Northern Panhandle Chapter of MOVCAC, which stands for “Motivate-Organize-Volunteer-Citizens Action Coalition.”
It took place at the American Legion hall in Benwood, and attracted a large crowd.
“We’re just a group of people who are tired of the fight between the left and the right,” said co-organizer Jessica Powers, herself a candidate for Ohio County Board of Education. “We care about medical care, education and constitutional freedoms.”
The group appeared at the State Capitol in Charleston on Medical Freedoms Day, she continued.
“And we want to hold our legislators accountable for how they vote.”
MOVCAC has goals to restore voter integrity, protect the sanctity of life, protect the right of free speech, protect the right to keep and bear arms, and medical freedom.
Co-organizer Heather Farmer said she was asked to start the MOVCAC group in the Northern Panhandle by its original founders in the Parkersburg-Marietta area.
“We want our citizenry to know who represents them at the local, state and federal levels,” she continued. “They are all important.”
Among those speaking were Powers and Bernie Albertini, candidates for Ohio County Board of Education; Nicholas McCort, 6th Ward Wheeling City Council candidate; Tom Howard, magistrate candidate; Republican Nelson Croft, Ohio County Sheriff candidate; and Beth Hinebaugh, Wheeling mayoral candidate.
Joe Barki and Ronald Wilson, both candidates for 1st Circuit judge, addressed the crowd.
Legislative candidates taking the podium included Republicans Del. Diana Winzenreid and Bill Flanigan, District 4 House of Delegates; Thomas Salkovick, District 5 House of Delegates; Scott Adams, District 1, West Virginia Senate; and Chris Rose, District 2, West Virginia Senate.
Statewide candidates included Republicans Roy Ramey, commissioner of agriculture candidate; State Sen. Mike Stuart, attorney general candidate, and Chris Miller, gubernatorial candidate. S. Marshall Wilson, a Constitution Party candidate for governor, also spoke.
Tricia Jackson, county commissioner in Jefferson County, West Virginia, and Republican candidate for West Virginia auditor, told the crowd of her arrest last month. Jackson and fellow Commissioner Jennifer Krouse made headlines last month after they were arrested on 42 misdemeanor counts, ranging from failure to fulfill their job duties to conspiracy.
Nate Cain, a Republican candidate for the District 2 U.S. House seat representing West Virginia, provided a speech – as did Grace Mooney, representing her husband, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-West Virginia.
Heather can be reached at
[email protected]
