William “Ty” Nestor

William “Ty” Nestor

Republican incumbent William T. “Ty” Nestor is a candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates in the newly formed 66th District.

In 2020, Nestor became the first Republican Delegate to serve the vast majority of Randolph County in 112 years. He received the highest number of votes for the office in the previous election for what was then the 43rd District. The newly formed 66th district remains a two county district that is comprised of portions Randolph and Pocahontas counties.

Nestor’s agenda continues to focus on better jobs, increased economic opportunity, and attacking the opioid crisis. In the two previous legislative sessions Nestor voted for legislation that helped bring Nucor to West Virginia, as well as legislation designed to strengthen the quality of life for West Virginia workers. Nucor, a fortune 150 company, is the second largest steel producer in the United States. The company chose to build its facility in Mason County despite being heavily courted by Ohio and Pennsylvania. Nucor’s impact will be the creation of approximately 800 new West Virginia jobs with an average salary of $82,500 per year. According to economic studies performed by WVU, Nucor is expected to infuse 25 billion dollars into the West Virginia economy over the next 10 years.

“Our governor and all of the members of the legislature did well in making this happen,” Nestor said. “So far it has been the highlight of my political career to see Nucor choose to come to our state and to get the opportunity to vote for raises for our State Police, public educators, correctional officers, and DOT personnel. I am thankful West Virginia is in a good spot and I really enjoy working aa a Delegate.”

Nestor is a 1999 graduate of West Virginia University and a 2002 graduate of West Virginia University College of Law. He is the founder of The Nestor Law Office located in Elkins. He says his experience as an attorney is what has inspired him to seek public office.

“I love being a lawyer. As an attorney in a small town I had to become more public than I was comfortable with so that I could make a living,” Nestor said. “Going on 17 years I have cared for people and done my very best to protect their rights and promote their interests. In exchange, I have been rewarded with the confidence and friendship of the community, which has provided me with an identity and sense of purpose.

“I am very grateful for what West Virginia has provided to me. As a Delegate I have the opportunity to continue to do what I enjoy for a larger segment of the state.”

Nestor is a Christian, a born West Virginian, and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He is also a member of the West Virginia Masonic Lodge, West Virginia Association for Justice, America’s Top 100 Attorneys, the Izaak Walton League of America, and the Elks Club No. 1135. He resides in Elkins with his family, Samantha and son, Jack.

FIVE QUESTIONS

1) In the name of transparency, would you be willing to provide a written monthly update to the public on your efforts as a legislator, if elected?

I have always provided weekly rather than monthly updates about matters of importance and interest during the legislative sessions on my Delegate Facebook page. I entitle these posts “legislative updates” and they can be reviewed at Re-Elect William Ty Nestor for WV House of Delegates at any time by constituents.

2) What ideas do you have to help citizens and businesses struggling to regain their footing after the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Reducing taxes and waiving certain fees for our businesses and citizens is a good start. The legislature is trying to get millions of dollars back into the hands of the West Virginia tax payer. This will happen through reductions in personal income and / or property tax reductions These tax reductions will assist with the West Virginia economy by giving West Virginia businesses and citizens greater spending power. I encourage that any increased spending take place inside West Virginia and with local businesses to counteract the adverse effects of COVID-19.

3) What’s the best decision you’ve made, either as a legislator or on the campaign trail?

There have been many decisions I made as a delegate that I am happy about. Advocating and voting for a ten thousand dollar raise for our State Police, and an additional 5% raise for all public employees including our public-school teachers, Departments of Highways Personnel and Department of Corrections Personnel by passing SB 531 is one of them. Raises for these men and women were long overdue and the services they provide are critical to our State’s well-being and infrastructure. The other decisions that stand out are my vote and active support of HB 2694 making West Virginia a 2A Sanctuary State, and advocating and passing SB 1001, the Institutional Advancement Act, which will attract extremely large outside investment and thousands of new jobs to our State. For perspective, SB 1001 helped companies like Nucor and Berkshire Hathaway / BHE Renewables commit to West Virginia. Nucor alone will have a $25 billion economic impact for our State over the next ten years according to a study undertaken by West Virginia University.

4) What’s the worst mistake you’ve made, either as a legislator or on the campaign trail?

I have made some mistakes when I first became a legislator. Probably won’t be the last time either to be truthful. The process can be confusing when you are first starting out. I recall voting for an amendment that I didn’t fully understand which could have prevented people from attending worship places during officially declared “states of emergency.” When I realized what I had done I immediately atoned for this mistake by voting for the bill with the amendment in it. The bill did not pass the first legislative session. During the second legislative session I then formally sponsored the bill with the amendment in it because I was actually in favor of the amendment. As a Christian I would never have voted against such an amendment unless it was truly an inadvertent mistake. That was a very embarrassing situation for me.

5) Why should a voter choose you over your opponent?

I have nothing bad to say about my opponent, Mr. Sheets. I have met him before he was my political opponent and he showed my family and I how maple syrup is made at a festival. I would say he was probably a good teacher. Nevertheless, my work experiences are different from his and I believe that it is these differences that make me a better candidate. West Virginia needs to improve its infrastructure, jobs, and economy as a primary objective. I am a business owner and I am also an attorney who built a law office as a first-generation lawyer. Unlike my opponent, I produce income to support myself and family from institutions that I personally created as opposed to those that were created by the State government itself. I am proud to have individually manufactured West Virginia jobs and I have experienced the pressure and hardship that is involved with building and sustaining a business in our State firsthand. The pressures in private enterprise exists because employers and employees depend on the success of their business — as opposed to the West Virginia taxpayer — for their income and livelihood. If an employer or employee doesn’t work hard, make good decisions, or simply cannot bring things together for whatever reason, the accountability is 100% and there no safety net to protect them when expectations fall short. I feel voters should take this perspective into account at the polls because we must build and create new infrastructure, and we need those in office that have experience with doing just that. West Virginia cannot and will not forsake education. However, our issues are very complex and require improvement in several areas, not just one. I am the better candidate to bring about the multi-faceted growth and improvement we have long needed because of my background and life experiences. Our future will be decided by the success of our current businesses and whether outside corporations choose to invest here. The success of current businesses and new corporate investment generates new money — rather than current taxpayer money — to fund and promote better jobs, better roads, and better schools. This success will also help retain our youth by providing them with real job opportunities once we have educated them. West Virginia requires a big picture approach to move in the right direction and not a focus on the status quo. I feel that I have the better philosophical approach to moving West Virginia in a new and better direction.

Robert “Bob” Sheets

Robert “Bob” Sheets

“I am a Democratic candidate for the WV House of Delegates seat in District 66. I live in Green Bank with my wife, Elaine J. Sheets. We are both retired public school teachers.

“I taught English at Pocahontas County High School for 35 years. I was the head basketball coach for 30 years. Since my retirement from education in 2012, I have been involved with several community groups.

“I am currently a board member of the Family Refuge Center where I have held the offices of president and vice-president. FRC serves the tri-county area of Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Monroe. The organization provides advocacy and shelter for victims of domestic violence.

“I have become heavily involved in preserving the history of our county by serving on the Pocahontas Landmarks Commission and am currently the treasurer. I represented Landmarks during the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Green Bank Observatory.

“I am a board member of Preserving Pocahontas and a member/performer for the Bicentennial Commission.

“Most recently, I have joined the board of the Pocahontas County Conventions and Visitors Bureau. This has made me fully aware of the significant impact that tourism has on our county.

“This is the first reason I am seeking this office. I believe our county deserves representation in the legislature because of the major monetary contribution that our outdoor activities make to our state.

“The second reason I have decided to step into this arena is the way public education has been treated in the legislature. It amazes me that our current representatives are not aware that teachers sign on to a code of conduct and ethics and that classroom content is set forth in the CSO’s. (Content Standards and Objectives)

“Teachers ask students to bring their minds and critical thinking skills to class, not only their pencils and books. They also want them to complete and understand their homework and not have it eaten by the dog.

“Our current legislature is far removed from the educational process and I would like to see that change.

“As we have continued to pursue archaeology at Fort Warwick, I am proud to say that we have provided over 1200 students with an archaeological experience working with our professionals. During out digs, we stress to students the significant sacrifices that the settlers who served here made in the founding of our country. We also explain that they were displacing indigenous people that were here first.

“My entire family has also enjoyed educating the public about traditional maple syrup production during WV Maple Days. I am delighted to see maple production growing in Pocahontas County.

“I would hope that voters would choose someone that is involved in the local community and that will take a logical approach in representing them.”

FIVE QUESTIONS

1) In the name of transparency, would you be willing to provide a written monthly update to the public on your efforts as a legislator, if elected?

Yes, I would be willing to give a written update on a monthly basis. I was an English teacher for 40 years, so I think I can handle that task.

2) What ideas do you have to help citizens and businesses struggling to regain their footing after the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?

I would suggest they contact their governor and ask him to use the surplus Federal money he is withholding and forget about tax cuts as that will only fuel our usual boom and bust economy.

3) What’s the best decision you’ve made, either as a legislator or on the campaign trail?

My best decision was saying “yes” when people asked me to run and then reaching out to Delegate Cody Thompson and former Delegate Bill Hartman and asking for advice.

4) What’s the worst mistake you’ve made, either as a legislator or on the campaign trail?

I like to tell stories and that sometimes gets in the way of meeting potential supporters.

5) Why should a voter choose you over your opponent?

My focus is on local issues that impact this district. Education funding, development of tourism, and our robust logging industry are my priorities, not national political slogans.