As the year begins to wind down, a commentary or two will look back at the issues that defined 2025 – and how they are likely to shape the debate heading into 2026.
Let’s start with compulsory vaccinations.
Anyone who follows West Virginia politics knows where things currently stand. The issue is now before the West Virginia Supreme Court, which will have the opportunity to provide clarity after a series of conflicting rulings from circuit courts. Most lawmakers say they have little interest in revisiting the matter during the 2026 session, and after one Raleigh County judge appeared intent on resolving the issue for the entire state – despite not being elected statewide – it’s clear the Supreme Court is positioned to have the final word.
Well, maybe the final word.
For those seeking an impact beyond West Virginia, a ruling from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals would be required to overturn longstanding federal case law. In other words, even a “win” at the state Supreme Court level may not amount to a lasting, far reaching victory – it would roadblock a path to re-consideration of Workman v. Mingo, which remains good case law at the federal level. Many advocates want to see that ruling overturned as it establishes that vaccine mandates do not violate the Free Exercise clause or Equal Protection. The U.S. Supreme Court did not grant certiorari (review) of a Fourth Circuit decision in 2011 that upheld Federal District Court Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin’s initial ruling on Workman.
Background aside, while most lawmakers appear eager to move on, some remain interested in reopening the debate. That is their prerogative as elected officials, and they are entitled – indeed expected – to follow their convictions.
The larger concern lies elsewhere.
Last year out-of-state interest groups attempted to steer West Virginia’s internal policy debate on vaccines. If it happened last time, there is little reason to believe it won’t happen again.
COMMENTARY: West Virginia’s School Vaccination Debate Hijacked
West Virginians should not be comfortable with this intrusion.
The American Action Fund, led by Indiana pastor Derin Stidd, sought to influence the debate through coordinated email, text, and social media campaigns. Delegate Scot Heckert, R–Wood, who supported maintaining the state’s existing vaccination laws, became a focal point. He reported receiving dozens of emails from Michigan-based area codes, along with targeted outreach from pro-exemption groups.
Stidd publicly warned of political consequences for lawmakers who failed to support vaccine exemptions, raising serious concerns about outside interests attempting to pressure West Virginia legislators.
Delegate Sarah Drennan, R–Putnam, later posted on Facebook that Stidd and his organization had been “caught” delivering what she described as fraudulent letters – purportedly from constituents who claimed they never signed them.
Just as troubling as efforts to weaken West Virginia’s vaccination laws is the growing willingness of outside organizations to insert themselves into state politics and policy issues. These groups will not be here to deal with the real-world consequences of their actions. When the fight is over, they will simply move on to the next state, continuing a misguided campaign. They are not vested – they are not West Virginians.
West Virginians should remain skeptical of these external interests and legislators who align with them. My hope, as a conservative, is that legislation on this issue remains ignored and buried in a deep, dark crypt somewhere in the Capitol where these things go to die.