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Daniel seeking West Virginia House of Delegates seat as Foggin makes bid for Wood County Commission

(Graphic Illustration - Capitol Notes - Image generated through the use of ChatGPT)

PARKERSBURG — A local businessman has announced his intention to run for the House of Delegates while the man who currently holds the seat is looking to be more involved on the local level with a run for the Wood County Commission.

Businessman Andy Daniel officially announced Monday he will be running for the West Virginia House of Delegates in the 14th District which covers parts of Wood and Wirt counties, according to a press release issued by Daniel.

The man who currently holds the 14th District seat in the House of Delegates, Dave Foggin, announced his intention to run for the seat on the Wood County Commission currently held by Robert Tebay.

“I signed up to run for county commission,” Foggin said of doing his pre-candidacy paperwork. He and Daniel had some mutual friends and Daniel called Foggin to ask if it would be ok for him to sign up to run for his delegate seat.

Foggin commended Daniel for calling him about it and the respect that showed.

Daniel, a graduate of Parkersburg High School and local business owner, said he is running to bring common-sense conservative leadership, economic opportunity and fiscal responsibility to Charleston, according to his press release.

“I am someone who has built successful businesses, and raised a family right here – I understand the challenges our area faces,” he said. “We need leaders who will fight to grow jobs, strengthen our schools, and ensure that West Virginia is a place where young people want to stay and raise their families.”

Daniel has been active in the business community and currently serves on the boards for Good Will Industries of Kanawha Valley, Mid-Ohio Regional Airport Authority, Mid-Ohio Airport Development Committee and the Wood County Development Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Parkersburg Marietta Contractors Association. His businesses cover residential, commercial and industrial construction; commercial and residential real estate rental as well as development, manufacturing, agriculture and aviation.

“I believe in West Virginia and its people,” Daniel said. “Together, we can build a stronger future, rooted in hard work and faith.”

Foggin said Daniel is a very knowledgeable businessman, especially in the areas of construction and aviation.

“I think he would be a great fit for that position,” he said.

Foggin said he wanted to get more involved in local politics as he feels that is where he can make a bigger difference for the people of Wood County. During his time in the Legislature, Foggin felt he was doing a good job representing his district, but he didn’t think he was fostering any real change for the people in this area.

On the issues the Legislature voted on, Foggin feels like he voted pretty well, but he felt like he didn’t have a lot of influence to effect much change as he was one of 100 delegates and any legislation they passed would also have to pass the state Senate and be signed off by the governor.

“It seems like as a county commissioner, I can make more of a positive impact locally, because you only have to get one or two people to go along with you,” Foggin said. “I thought I could make a greater impact locally by serving on the county commission.

“I want to keep Wood County a great place to work, live and raise a family,” he said. “I want to keep Wood County on top and help them achieve even more.”

Foggin said he wants to help people be able to better handle the cost of things, increase business profits to allow for job growth and help people with the things that are important to them locally.

“I want to serve the people,” he said.

Foggin is currently in his second term in the House of Delegates and will be going into his fourth legislative session early next year.

Daniel will be having a campaign kick-off on Oct. 14 at The Blennerhassett Hotel from 5-6:30 p.m. in Parkersburg.

For more information about Daniel’s campaign, visit his website at www.andydanielwv.com.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com.

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