Candidate for WV Governor
Morgantown/Kingwood Branch of the NAACP 2020 Questionnaire
A. How do you plan to improve access to health care and public health information for minority communities in West Virginia?
The current barrier for health care access is interference by the government. Removing government from healthcare will allow the system to operate based upon the needs of the people. For example, elimination of the certificate of need that prohibits healthcare facilities from opening in areas where the industry sees a need for services, will allow the healthcare industry to take steps to serve minority communities. Our current system allows the government to determine where and how healthcare centers are needed.
B. In what ways should police departments and bystanding police officers be held accountable for their officers’ violent acts and misconduct?
Police officers guilty of misconduct should be immediately terminated and held accountable civilly. Immunity from civil suits should be terminated. No knock raids should be prohibited.
C. In what ways have you fought discrimination that targeted people of color either in the workplace or in the community?
I am an attorney who focuses my practice in the area of federal and state claims for discrimination. I have represented hundreds of people of color in various lawsuits throughout the state of West Virginia. I have been doing so every day for almost fifteen years.
D. What actions will you take against voter suppression?
I would end any and all prohibitions on ballot access. I would advocate for a streamlined and highly secure option of voting online as well as open debates for all candidates of the ballot.
E. Do you support the following bills, which have been introduced in the WV legislature?
- Katherine Johnson Fair Pay Act: (No response)
- CROWN Act: Yes. Although, the language of the West Virginia Human Rights Act currently covers this if the statue is interpreted correctly.
- Ban-the-Box Act: (No response)
- Fairness Act: Yes. Although, the language of the West Virginia Human Rights Act currently covers this.