Reger

Jack Reger is officially announcing his candidacy for the West Virginia State Senate representing District 11, pledging to restore integrity, accountability, and long-term thinking to Charleston.

Reger’s campaign centers on rebuilding the foundation of West Virginia’s success — its schools, communities, and workforce — while ensuring that state investments remain in-state and serve West Virginians first.

“Our state’s future depends on how we educate our children, how we empower our towns, and how we hold ourselves accountable for the growth we promise,” Reger said. “I’m running to fix public education, not destroy it–to make it a place where teachers are supported, where students can thrive, and where families can count on their local schools as the heart of their communities.”

Across District 11, communities are facing an unprecedented education crisis. This year, the Upshur County Board of Education announced that Rock Cave Elementary and Tennerton Elementary will close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. In the second phase of the county’s plan, Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School will be consolidated into Buckhannon-Upshur High School, combining grades 6 through 12 under one roof. The board cites declining enrollment and dwindling funding for public schools as the driving forces behind these decisions.

The same pattern is now unfolding in Barbour County, where the Board of Education has issued a proposal to close and consolidate Belington Middle School, Kasson Middle School, and Philippi Middle School into Philip Barbour High School, transforming it from a grades 9-12 institution into a 6-12 school.

The proposal also calls for the consolidation of Junior Elementary School into Belington Elementary School, marking yet another blow to community-based education.

In Randolph County, the Board of Education recently voted to approve the closure of Harman K-12 School and North Elementary School, following public hearings and recommendations by the county superintendent. Under the plan, Harman’s students will be reassigned to Jennings Randolph Elementary, Elkins Middle, and Elkins High School, while North Elementary students will move to Jennings Randolph Elementary. These closures are set to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

Taken together, these decisions mean that three out of the seven counties in West Virginia’s 11th Senate District are now facing catastrophic school closures and consolidations. This wave of shutdowns threatens not only local education but the very fabric of small-town life — upending communities, weakening local economies, and forcing students to travel farther from home to attend overcrowded schools.

“This is not just a funding problem — it’s a leadership problem,” said Reger. “When nearly half of the counties in a single district are shutting down schools, that’s a crisis. We are watching the slow dismantling of community education in rural West Virginia, and unless we act now, we will lose more than schools — we will lose the heart of our communities. We need new leadership that will fight for our children, defend our schools, and make education a top priority again.”

Reger is a lifelong resident of West Virginia and a 1976 graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from West Virginia University and attended several other colleges and universities where he earned additional endorsements and certifications. Reger served in public education for 38 years, working as a classroom teacher, principal, director, and assistant superintendent. He retired from education on July 1, 2018, after a career defined by dedication to students, teachers, and families across the region.

Throughout his career, Reger made a lasting impact on the communities he served. He began his professional journey as a teacher in Barbour County before becoming the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Upshur County. His experience in educational leadership gave him firsthand insight into the challenges facing public education in West Virginia and the importance of accountability, transparency, and local control.

Education remains central to Reger’s campaign. He is also compassionately committed to expanding education for autistic children in West Virginia, calling for funding of autism-specific classes at each programmatic level and tuition reimbursement for teachers who specialize in autism education and commit to serving in those roles.

“Our teachers deserve the support they need to make a difference for every child,” Reger said. “When we prioritize education, we’re investing in everything else that makes West Virginia strong–our workforce, our communities, and our future.”

Reger emphasized the need to support local municipalities, especially smaller ones, to ensure they have the tools to maintain critical infrastructure and meet the needs of their residents.

“Local governments are closest to the people — they know what’s needed,” Reger noted. “We have to help them fulfill their responsibilities instead of burying them in red tape and underfunding.”

A key part of Reger’s platform is creating a favorable business climate that attracts and retains employers committed to West Virginia’s long-term success.

“Sound employment is one of the most effective tools we have to combat the drug epidemic,” Reger said. “When people have good jobs and purpose, it changes lives, families, and entire communities.”

As West Virginia experiences growth in tourism and living due to the anticipated energy demands, Reger believes the state must rise to meet the moment with quality schools, sustainable economic policy, and strict oversight.

“We need more accountability in the Economic Development Authority to ensure West Virginia funding stays in West Virginia,” he said. “We’ve seen too many out-of-state companies take our incentives, pay off their private creditors, then declare bankruptcy and leave. That has to stop.”

Reger is also calling for stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure the state only partners with reputable companies that offer sustainable wages and real benefits to West Virginians.

“Economic development must mean more than ribbon cuttings– it must mean lasting opportunity,” he said.

In West Virginia, some far-left political subdivisions have attempted to restrict or ban firearms retailers from operating within their district. As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, Reger believes that such actions undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

“Without access to licensed gun shops, how can people have sufficient access to ammunition or firearms to exercise their rights? They simply can’t,” Reger said.

Reger believes that safeguarding these freedoms is essential to maintaining both personal security and individual liberty. As a state senator, Reger will work to protect the rights of gun owners and firearms retailers, ensuring that the constitutional right to keep and bear arms is never compromised in West Virginia.

Reger also stressed the urgency to put West Virginia’s families before political agendas. His campaign focuses on fixing public education, supporting small towns, creating real jobs, and ensuring West Virginia’s growth serves its people — not outside interests or leftist ideological movements.

“For too long, some lawmakers in West Virginia’s leadership have been distracted by ‘woke’ policy stances that prioritize political signaling over practical results,” Reger said. “Because of this, we’ve taken our eyes off what truly matters–building a sustainable economy, supporting our workers, and strengthening the moral foundation of our communities.”

Reger believes some lawmakers have been led astray by a failed notion that government should be used as an instrument to socially re-engineer society.

“Efforts to use government power to change the lifestyle habits of West Virginians into supporting non-traditional values don’t create progress–they create instability,” he said. “They erode the pillars of our communities and often penalize people of faith who simply wish to live by the convictions that built this state.”

Reger made clear he will reject these attempts and always support, defend, and protect faith, innocent life, and family.

“These are not just personal beliefs — they are the cornerstones of a healthy and free society,” he said. “If we lose them, we lose the strength that holds us together.”

A lifelong West Virginian, Reger also emphasized the connection between cultural strength and national security.

“Our foreign adversaries understand that the easiest way to weaken a nation is to divide its people, isolate its families, and discourage the next generation from building strong homes,” he said. “When birthrates decline and community ties erode, our country becomes less resilient– and that is a threat to national security.”

Following his retirement from education, Reger continued his leadership in the private sector as the Chief Financial Officer for Monco Constructors, Inc., where he was responsible for overseeing financial operations and business development. He has also served his community in public office as a two-term city councilman for the City of Buckhannon, where he worked to improve infrastructure, support small businesses, and promote fiscal responsibility.

Jack and his wife, Charla Stewart Reger, have been married for 43 years. Charla, a Paden City native and 1978 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, has shared Jack’s commitment to education and community service. Together they have two children — Whitney Moran of Elkins and Colin Reger of Buckhannon. Whitney is married to Tim Moran, and Colin is married to Jessica Cowger Reger of Dailey. Jack and Charla are proud grandparents of four: Keegan, Ellie, Hannah, and John.

Reger and his wife, Charla, attend Grace Presbyterian Church in Buckhannon, where they are active members. Grace Church began as a new church plant in the community, and the Regers have continued their lifelong commitment to faith-based service through their involvement. Throughout their lives, they have participated in several church plants, including the Buckhannon Alliance Church, reflecting their dedication to helping build and strengthen local ministries that serve families and the broader community.

Reger currently serves on the Board of the Upshur County Senior Center, a position he has held for the past two years. During his time on the board, he has become a strong advocate for seniors, working to ensure that older residents have access to essential services, social programs, and community engagement opportunities that promote health, dignity, and independence. He also serves on the Partners Care Council at St. Joseph’s Hospital, a community advisory group that provides feedback and insight to the hospital about residents’ experiences and perspectives on healthcare services. Through this role, Reger works to help strengthen communication between the hospital and the community it serves.

As a City Councilman for the City of Buckhannon, Reger serves on the Board of Public Works and the Financial Review Committee, where he helps guide city infrastructure projects and ensure fiscal responsibility.

The Regers were also the owners of A Governor’s Inn, a historic bed and breakfast located in downtown Buckhannon. They purchased the home in August 2014 and, after an extensive renovation, opened for business on May 1, 2015. Under their ownership, A Governor’s Inn became a well-known local attraction, featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, and by the West Virginia Department of Tourism for its charm and contribution to the revitalization of Buckhannon’s downtown area.

Reger has extensive administrative and leadership experience, having overseen governmental regulatory compliance at the local, state, and federal levels. His responsibilities have included personnel and human resources management for a workforce exceeding 700 employees, as well as handling complex scheduling, logistics, and facility operations. He has managed budgets exceeding $30 million, having a wide range of legal and organizational responsibilities throughout his career.

Reger has also developed and implemented employee training programs, directed the acquisition and integration of technical systems, and served as a consultant and trainer for The Reger Group, a defense contracting company based in Stafford, Virginia.

Jack Reger’s campaign for State Senate is built on practical leadership, local accountability, and a steadfast belief in West Virginia’s potential to grow responsibly while preserving the values that make it home. Reger will be running in the Republican Primary that will take place on May 12, 2026.

This release was submitted by the candidate. Any candidate wishing to announce their candidacy may submit a press release and photo to bjohnson@theintermountain.com.