HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A Democratic candidate for Congress in West Virginia’s 3rd District sees no reason to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, without an alternative plan in place.
“Clearly, there are things that have to be fixed,” Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said.
However, he continued, “There are folks in West Virginia who are sick and, if you’re sick, you’re not able to go to work. You just don’t throw everything out.”
Williams talked about the issue on Wednesday’s “580-LIVE with Charleston Mayor Danny Jones,” heard on 580-WCHS in Charleston, a MetroNews affiliate.
His appearance came a day after he announced his plans to seek the Democratic nomination in the 2018 May Primary Election.
Mayor Williams is in his 2nd term as mayor of Huntington.
Also in his 2nd term is Congressman Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) who currently represents the 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s running for U.S. Senate in 2018 when U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is up for re-election.
In 2014, Jenkins was elected over longtime 3rd District Congressman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.).
“Frankly, I’d love to be the 3rd District’s congressman,” Williams said on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Huntington was selected as “America’s Best Community” out of 350 cities nationwide and awarded $3 million for economic revitalization projects, developed under Williams, in four areas.
Prior to being elected mayor, Williams was a member of Huntington’s City Council from 2009 to 2012. He’s a past member of the Legislature where he served in the House of Delegates from 1987 to 1994.
Williams has ties throughout the 3rd District.
“I grew up in Mercer County, lived in Athens. My Dad taught and coached at Concord. My grandfathers were both coal miners from Mercer County and McDowell County. My roots are down in southern West Virginia,” he said.
“This is going to be a fun effort.”
Other Democrats who’ve already announced campaigns in the 3rd Congressional District include Senator Richard Ojeda (D-Logan, 07) and Paul Davis, general manager of the Tri-State Transit Authority in Cabell County.
Among Republicans, Rick Snuffer from Raleigh County and Delegate Rupie Phillips (R-Logan, 24) have launched runs, according to previous MetroNews reports.
Last week, Dr. Ayne Amjad, a Beckley physician, told the Beckley Register-Herald she planned to change her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican before entering the 3rd District race.
The 3rd Congressional District includes the following 18 counties: Wyoming, Webster, Wayne, Summers, Raleigh, Pocahontas, Nicholas, Monroe, Mingo, Mercer, McDowell, Mason, Logan, Lincoln, Greenbrier, Fayette, Cabell and Boone.
In 2018, primary election day in West Virginia is Tuesday, May 8.