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ELKINS -- Delegate Ty Nestor, R-66th District, has announced he will not be seeking re-election in the 2024 election.
When first elected in 2020, Nestor became the first Republican delegate elected to represent the vast majority of Randolph County in 113 years, in what was then the 43rd legislative district. He was re-elected in 2022 to represent Randolph and Pocahontas counties in what had become the 66th district after the state's redistricting process.
"I will always be grateful to the people of Randolph and Pocahontas counties for allowing me to be their representative in Charleston," Nestor said. "It was an honor and a privilege.
"My work and experience as a lawyer are what inspired me to seek the position. The community was and has always been very supportive of me as an attorney and citizen. The people of the region have picked me up and carried me in some tough times, and my service as a delegate was just an opportunity that I could use to repay my gratitude.
"I love and respect the community and I am now at a place where I feel 100% satisfied personally and professionally. The time is upon me to stick to my pledge regarding term limits and allow another from the area the opportunity to serve, which they might have had on their bucket list, too," Nestor said.
During his tenure in office, Nestor passed the Industrial Advancement Act that helped bring at least four new manufacturing facilities to West Virginia, including Nucor, the second-largest manufacturer of steel in the U.S.
Nestor also played a part in transforming West Virginia into a Second Amendment sanctuary state; increasing the salaries of all state employees twice, including raises for educators, members of the West Virginia State Police, members of the Department of Highways, and members of the Department of Corrections.
Nestor also was a part of lowering state personal income taxes; abolishing personal property tax; preventing biological males from competing against females in athletic competition; banning physician assistance in gender transitioning surgeries and therapies for children; protecting lives of unborn children with anti-abortion legislation; promoting rural fire protection; and expanding school choice for parents.
He said he has made economic reform, regional fire protection, emergency medical services and senior centers his primary points of financial focus while serving in office.
"I always felt that the health and safety of the people who elected you to represent them in government must be the priority focus for economic funding, and so I committed to that when I could appropriations throughout my tenure," Nestor said.
"I also tried to make sure that I was even-handed when obtaining that funding, so agencies in both countries I was elected to serve got what they needed to perform their functions as best they could."
Nestor provided Local Economic Development Authority funds to the Coalton and Elkins fire departments, and to the Randolph County EMS for modernized AEDs.
He also secured funding for the Randolph County and Pocahontas County Senior Centers to make sure their infrastructures were solid, and that meals could be provided.
Nestor also committed his efforts to have two bridges dedicated in the names of local heroes: "Big" Jim Shaffer, a former fire chief of the Tygart Valley Fire Department, and Pvt. Donald Lee Stuckey, a young local soldier who lost his life in the Korean War while serving in the Army.
"My proudest moment as a delegate was unexpected," Nestor said. "I remember getting all the stuff situated and organized for the Donald Stuckey memorial bridge in Kerens, and then putting all the pieces together in my head at the dedication. Mr. Stuckey died serving our country in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which was a gruesome event.
"There wasn't anyone from his family in attendance, just Loren Chenoweth, who very valiantly sough the bridge name on behalf of his childhood acquaintance; the gentleman from the Marine Corps League performing the dedication; and some others committing to public service that day. Then that's when I realized that Private Stuckey was an adopted child without family, and had been gone from us for over 70 years, dying in the bravest and most noble way possible.
"Even though he didn't have any family still living that were able to facilitate an appropriate memorialization of his valor - our community was there," Nestor said. "And that's when it hit me hard. My community thinks enough of me to speak on this man's behalf. It was hard for me to accept, I still don't accept it, and I will never feel deserving.
"It was at that moment I recognized all of the good in our community that came together to honor a man who nobody had seen or talked to since 1950. We didn't forget him, and it was my happiest experience in politics. It was a really special moment for me where good carried the day."
Nestor addressed how he will conclude his term as delegate.
"I want to finish out my duties strong going into my final legislative session, and make people proud and give them what they deserve," he said. "I intend to complete the duties I was elected to perform, and set a precedent for the future.
"Any other opportunities that may arise in the future will just be a bonus for me. My goals are complete but I will continue to provide public support and service when called upon to do so. Thank you again for providing me with this great opportunity, and I hope you were pleased with my performance."