From the Director’s Desk for April 19, 2024
Many of you have probably heard the phrase “all politics is local”. While it is most commonly associated with former Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, the sentiment has long been a way of emphasizing the importance of elections that directly impact our day to day lives.
The West Virginia primary election is May 14th and there are campaign signs dotting lawns all over our communities. Those running for office are our friends, neighbors, and family. They are people we know, and more importantly, they are people who know us!
While you may be getting weary of state and national campaign ads interrupting your favorite tv show, (I know that I am) it is the neighbor who knocks on your door and wants to take a moment of your time to tell you why he or she is running for office who really deserves our attention.
Local elections are incredibly important because they determine who represents you in decisions that directly affect our communities. From school boards to city councils, these officials make choices about our schools, roads, public safety, zoning, and so much more. I think that it takes courage to put oneself out there in hope of helping improve the lives of those around you. I personally applaud anyone willing to do that!
If you can meet with candidates running larger state campaigns, I encourage everyone to know how well they know our local needs. And their plans for addressing those needs.
As the executive director of the Chamber, my primary focused is on the economic health of our counties and quality of life. When I visited Charleston earlier this year and met with three of our elected officials, I took three concerns that have direct impact on our job readiness and quality of life: transportation, childcare and affordable housing. Each representative I spoke with was aware of those needs. I was happy to hear that, and I left Charleston with the expectation that those officials will do all that they can to move our communities and state forward!
Are all politics local? Yes, they are, and they really matter!
