News

2024 Election

A Look into This Year’s Candidates

Lily Rocknich, Yearbook Manager

November 4, 2024

The 2024 general Election is just one month away. Gen Z will have nearly 8 million eligible voters, including members of Weir’s Class of 2025, who can vote on Nov. 5 if they registered on time.

In W.V. citizens must have submitted a voter registration application by Oct. 15 online, in-person or through mail. If one has not done so, they cann

ot vote in this year’s election.

America is a democracy and has been since 1787 when the United States con

stitution took effect. This meant the citizens could vote for their leaders, but not everyone could. It excluded people of color women. When the 15th amendment passed, it allowed African Americans to vote, and the 19th amendment allowed women to.

You might think to yourself, “it’s just one vote, it won’t matter”, but that’s not entirely tru

e. Yes, just one vote won’t have an impact on the millions of votes, but it actually will. National Geographic’s article Why Voting is Important comments, “your vote undoubtedly matters when it comes to electoral results. Most states have a “winner take all” system where the popular vote winner gets the state’s electoral votes.”

Steve Kettler, the Civics and Government teacher at Weir High, said it is important for students who are eligible to vote is because “the United States is a democracy. Voting is our most important responsibility of being a citizen and it allows us to express our opinions.” He also said “Students should do their research on each of the candidates and each of the issu

e up for vote. Find the candidate that most closely represents your beliefs and values.”

All information comes from the candidates’ websites, ballotpedia, the 2024 Trump-Harris presidential debate, Weirton Daily Times, and vote.gov. The following bullets co

ntain what both candidates stand for and plan to

achieve if elected.

Presidential

Harris

Build an opportunity economy
Lower costs and taxes for (middle class) families
Safeguard fundamental freedoms
Protect women’s reproductive rights
Ensure safety and justice for all
Keep America safe-Gun violence and crime
Maintain and grow the Affordable Care Act
Tax deductions
Reduce cost of healthcare
Make rent and home ownership more affordable
Secure social security and Medicare
Ensure no one is above the law
Take on Opioid and Fentanyl crisis
Fix immigration system, secure bordersVice President Kamala Harris said her top priorities are to lift up the middle class, build an opportunity economy, tax cut of $6,000 for families, $50,000 tax deduction for small businesses, and protective women’s reproductive rights.
In the presidential debate, Harris said that America has “so much more in common than what separates us.” Harris supports a bill the Unites States Congress came up with that would put 1,500 more agents on the border. She believes it would have ended the flow on Fentanyl coming into the U.S. She supports the Affordable Care, enacted during the Obama/Biden administration, which prohibits insurance companies from denying people with previous conditions.

She said that America wants and needs “a president who understands the importance of bringing us together.”

Trump

End inflation, make America affordable again
Stop illegal immigration, seal borders
Large tax cuts
Fight for and protect social security
Cut federal funding for any school pushing racist, sexual, and political content
Keep men out of women’s sports
Strengthen military
No change to the age of retirement
Medicare with no cuts
Enforce tariffs
Cancel mandate of electric vehicles
Defend constitution, bill of rights, and freedoms
Restore peace
No tax on tips

Former President Donald Trump said his top priorities are to end illegal immigration, make America affordable again, ensure tariffs, and cut taxes substantially. His main goal is to create a great economy.

He believes Americans should keep the right to keep and bear arms-the second amendment. Trump plans to seal the border. Trump’s campaign website, Donald’s trump.com, explained he “will ask Congress to pass a bill establishing that the only genders recognized by the United States government are male and female—and they are assigned at birth.

A large concern voters have is Project 2025. He claims that he is not involved in

Project 2025.

Governor

Steve Williams (Democrat)
Patrick Morrisey (Republican)
Erika Kolenich (Libertarian)
Marshall Wilson (Constitution)
Chase Linko-Looper (Mountain)

Mayor

Harold E. Miller
Dean M. Harris
George Village
Flora Perrone

U.S. Senate

Glenn Elliott (Democrat)
Jim Justice (Republic)
David Moran (Libertarian)

U.S. House of Representatives

Carol Miller (Republican)
Chris Reed (Democrat)
Steve Weldelin (Democrat)
Wes Holden (Independent)
Riley Moore (Republican)

Att0rney General

John B. McCuskey (Republican)
Teresa Toriseva (Democrat)

John B. McCuskey

J.B. McCuskey believes in our freedoms, energy and agriculture, education, and fixing the foster care system.

Teresa Toriseva

Teresa Toriseva’s great focuses are stating the protection of families, businesses, working people, and freedom.

State Senate

Ryan Weld (District 1)
Chris Rose (District 2)

Ryan Weld

Ryan Weld prime concerns include tax cuts, second amendment rights, veterans’ rights, substance abuse, and job creation. His website says, “In addition, Ryan’s extensive experience as Chair of the Military Committee and Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee reflects his exceptional ability to handle complex policy issues.”

Chris Rose

Chris Rose’s priorities include lifting the public education system, protecting the second amendment, WV energy, lower taxes, and pro-life.
Rose’s website states, “Chris will be the true voice that the everyday West Virginian deserves and so desperately needs. Chris Rose is West Virginia’s Blue-Collar Conservative.”

House of Delegates

Olivia Dowler (District 2)
Mark Zatezalo (District 2)

Olivia Dowler

Olivia Dowler represents the democratic party. She believes in equality, the value of education, criminal justice, civil rights, and healthcare.
Dowler stated “Immigrants can’t have a voice; Appalachian people can’t have a voice; queer people can’t have a voice. Having my privilege, I feel like it’s almost a responsibility for me stand up and make this country fair and equal like everyone originally wanted.” Some essential messages she represents in her campaign are stronger works, fuller plates, and safer communities.

Mark Zatezalo

Mark Zatezalo represents the republican party. He values businesses, manufacturing, utilizing resources, and river transportation as an advantage in the Northern Panhandle.

Zatezalo stated that if he is re-elected, “I will be able to continue the work I started with the Energy Council and Council of State Governments in the House of Delegates to enable the state and our area to develop our economy using our resources.” He heavily believes in energy manufacturing and possibilities for prosperity.

The White House, Washington D.C. found in the public domain.

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About the Contributor

Lily Rocknich, Yearbook Manager

My name is Lillian Rocknich, but I go by Lily. I am a junior at Weir High School. I am a three year member of the dance team, in Girl’s Athletic Association, in pep club, and in FBLA. I am a dancer at Casey Sister’s Dance Academy, and have been for 16 years. I want to attend Robert Morris University and major in psychology. I strive to achieve my full potential in all I do. I am a worker and always try my best!