Attorney General
Doug Reynolds – Democrat
Karl Kolenich – Libertarian
Tell us about your professional background and how
it has prepared you for the role of attorney general.
Tell us about your professional background and how
it has prepared you for the role of attorney general.
First and foremost, I am a fourth-generation West Virginian, so
I know the unique problems this state faces. I graduated from
the West Virginia University College of Law and returned to my
hometown of Huntington to start a law practice. In 2006, I was
elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates and served on the
education and finance committees and as vice chair of the finance
committee. In 2012, I took over as CEO of Energy Services of
America. I believe my vast experience in both the public and private
sectors affords me a background that no other candidate can
bring to the attorney general’s office. My management experience
and knowledge of the inner workings of state government will be a
valuable asset if I am elected.
I am a partner at Klie Law Offices, where I have the privilege of
representing people and businesses with their employment and
injury matt ers across West Virginia. Working every day with ordinary
West Virginians and businesses has helped me understand what
day-to-day challenges people face. Each and every day, West
Virginians are concerned about their jobs and businesses, their
children, the safety of their neighborhoods and whether their
government is improving their lives. As attorney general, protecting
all West Virginians from fraud and overreaching federal and state
government will be the most important part of my job.
What do you see as WV’s biggest challenges?
I believe the biggest challenge to West Virginia is bringing not only
jobs but good-paying careers to the state. Issues with the state
budget, drugs and crime are symptoms of a bigger issue. The
solution to this is not a secret—we hear politicians say it all the
time. We need to improve the business climate. Unfortunately,
what they mean is the climate for the very industry or company
that funded their campaign.
The three biggest challenges our state faces are the state’s
growing drug epidemic, overburdensome regulations initiated by
the federal government and a business climate that is unfriendly to
new industries and small businesses.
To address the drug epidemic, we need a comprehensive plan that
includes input from law enforcement, community leaders, public
officials, medical professionals and other affected community
members. Regarding federal overreach, I will continue to take
the fight to the federal government to ensure West Virginia’s
economic interests are always protected against unnecessary
federal regulations. We need to create an environment in this state
that is conducive to economic growth. Supporting new industries,
ensuring a confident consumer base and fostering economic
growth are essential for the growth of West Virginia’s economy, and
as attorney general, I will help make these plans a reality.
What will be your number one priority if elected
in November?
Fighting the drug epidemic would be my top priority. A comprehensive
approach is required to effectively combat this epidemic. It’s not going
to be easy, but I believe we can reverse this trend once and for all.
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What do see as WV’s biggest challenges?
As attorney general, I will advise legislators and agencies of their
responsibilities to the citizens of West Virginia. I will do everything in my
power to stop government from overreaching and interfering with West
Virginia’s progress toward becoming a great place to do business.
What will be your number one priority if elected
in November?
As a Libertarian, my only obligations are to the people of West
Virginia, and that gives me a lot of power to set an agenda at the
office of the attorney general that only serves the state of West
Virginia. When I am elected, the first thing I will do is bring my
work into the open. Then I will have a dialog with the people of
West Virginia. Allowing the public to have a say in the way their
government is run is very important to me.