Candidate for WV House of Delegates District 51
Morgantown/Kingwood Branch of the NAACP 2020 Questionnaire
A. How do you plan to improve access to health care and public health information for minority communities in West Virginia?
I promoted and volunteered at two public COVID-19 testing days in Monongalia County. While these events were open to all, they were initiated to provide free COVID-19 testing to members of minority communities, which have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 in West Virginia and across the country. I believe that health care is a right, and I will continue to work at the state Legislature to expand access to health care among minority communities and all West Virginians.
B. In what ways should police departments and bystanding police officers be held accountable for their officers’ violent acts and misconduct?
Body cameras should be required to be worn by all police officers that operate in Monongalia County. Officers operate in dangerous environments and must often make split second life-and-death decisions. Still, those who use excessive and unwarranted force to injure or kill another person must be held accountable. Local citizens should play a role, alongside internal investigations, in investigating allegations of police misconduct.
C. In what ways have you fought discrimination that targeted people of color either in the workplace or in the community?
When a Fairmont city councilor attacked Black women elected officials as “a hoe” and “satanic,” I spoke out at their next city council meeting to condemn these statements and call for the city councilor’s censure. I have attended many local Black Lives Matter marches and used my position as delegate to promote a public dialog with local and West Virginia people of color, including leaders of the NAACP.
D. What actions will you take against voter suppression?
Last session I wrote and was lead sponsor of a Vote by Mail bill that, when passed, will increase voter participation across West Virginia. I continue to disseminate election-related information to Monongalia County residents, with the goal of encouraging as many people as possible to register to vote, request absentee ballots, and cast absentee ballots so that they can safely vote without worrying about the state of the COVID-19 pandemic on Election Day.
E. Do you support the following bills, which have been introduced in the WV legislature?
- Katherine Johnson Fair Pay Act: YES
- CROWN Act: YES
- Ban-the-Box Act: YES
- Fairness Act: YES