SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – On Friday, Sept. 25, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Ben Salango was at Evolve Shepherdstown to converse with voters about the Nov. 3 election.
Salango said he wanted to focus on what issues are important to residents in the Eastern Panhandle.
“I know that they’re very concerned about their small businesses, you know, because of COVID,” Salango said. “I know they’re very worried about public health.”
Salango said he knows the environment is also an important subject in the area.
“It’s amazing to me that in 2020 we still have areas, including parts of the Eastern Panhandle, that don’t have clean water,” Salango said.
Rod Snyder, Vice Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, said he was looking forward to hearing themes of change.
“We’re at such an important inflection point in our nation’s history, and I’m concerned that if we have four more years of the same, our country will be fundamentally changed forever,” Snyder said.
Snyder believes young voters can contribute to the change he wishes to see.
“We have 39 days left to basically change the course of the country, and it’s in many ways up to young people to make that happen,” Snyder said.
Shepherdstown resident Jan Hafer believes Salango is a strong candidate who can win against his opponent, Gov. Jim Justice.
Hafer said she has not been pleased with the governor.
“I think [Gov. Justice has] made a lot of mistakes, and I don’t trust him,” Hafer said.
Hafer met Salango at Evolve Shepherdstown in March shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He has not been able to travel until just recently,” Hafer said. “So a lot of people still don’t know who he is up here, I think, but he’s coming up here as much as he can.”
Salango has visited the Panhandle nine times since starting his campaign.
Salango said he is paying attention to the Panhandle and understands that the region feels disconnected from Charleston.
Salango believes Gov. Justice and lawmakers in Charleston have ignored the Panhandle.
“The Eastern Panhandle is the economic engine of the state,” Salango said, “They send all their money to Charleston, and they get nothing in return. So that’s going to change when I’m governor.”
Signs for various W.Va. Democratic candidates in the window at Evolve Shepherdstown.