CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A state delegate from Randolph County has announced her intent to run for a seat in one of the state’s largest senatorial districts.
Denise Campbell (D- Randolph, 43) told Hoppy Kercheval on Wednesday’s edition of “Talkline” that the position in the 11th District would allow her to make more of an impact.
“I want to make a difference, and I want that difference to be positive for West Virginia,” she said. “I want to be the advocate for the individuals in West Virginia who don’t feel like they have a voice.”
Should Campbell be successful in her bid, she would go from representing Pocahontas County and a majority of Randolph County to representing Pocahontas, Randolph, Nicholas, Webster, Upshur and Pendleton Counties, as well as a portion of Grant County.
The choice to run was one that was thought over since the summer began, with a list of pros and cons made to help guide the decision.
Ultimately, Campbell believes serving in the Senate will allow her to tackle a set of specific issues.
“We have got to connect to broadband and we need to really to focus on services for mental health and substance abuse,” she said. “Those are some of the core issues that if we don’t attack those and come up with some solutions, it’s going to be very hard to get our state moving forward.”
Her time serving in Charleston as a lawmaker began in 2011 when she was elected to represent the 37th House District. After redistricting, she ran for the same position in the 43rd District in 2013 and was again successful.
Her candidacy comes at a time in which state Democrats are trying to regain control of the state capitol after both the House and Senate went Republican for the first time in decades.
No matter how the 2016 elections go, Campbell wants bipartisan politics to rule the day.
“We need to focus on the issues and come up with some positive solutions,” she said. “We all need to work together.”
The seat representing the 11th District is currently held by Nicholas County Republican Greg Boso, who was appointed to the position during the past legislative session after Clark Barnes was elected as the Senate Clerk.