Ben Salango in 2020 WV Governor's race
On Principles & Values:
Focused on public service rather than self-service
West Virginia needs a governor who is focused on public service rather than self-service. As a lawyer, I've always fought for the little guy and stood up against corruption and waste.
As a county commissioner, I've worked to make the Kanawha Valley a better place for residents to live and work by diversifying the economy, supporting law enforcement and public safety, and helping small businesses.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 21, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
State has yet to spend most of CARES Act money
Justice said West Virginia has received a high rating in how it has allocated $1.2 billion in CARES Act money provided by Congress in June to respond to issues created by COVID-19.
Salango said West Virginia had received a pat on a back as to how it allocated the money, not on how it actually had spent the money. He pointed out that of $1.2 billion sent to the state in March, $1 billion of the money has not been spent.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Civil Rights:
One can support both Black Lives Matter and the police
Salango said West Virginia needs a governor who would bring people together and not tear them apart. "We need a governor who is not going to make racially insensitive comments, referring to children as thugs," Salango said, referring to comments
Justice made after a high school basketball game earlier this year. Salango said he rejects the notion that one can't support both the Black Lives Matter movement and police.
When asked about the Black Lives Matter movement, Justice said West Virginia is "blessed to have much better relations with others from other races," than the rest of the country. He said, "of course"
Black lives matter. "They matter like all lives matter, and we should absolutely always try to work together," Justice said, noting that he has a problem with looting and burning businesses.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Drugs:
For medical marijuana; roadside test for recreational use
Both men said they would support medical marijuana but wouldn't immediately support recreational marijuana use in West Virginia.
Salango said he would support legalizing recreational marijuana use in the state if a roadside test for marijuana is developed, similar to that of a breathalyzer test for alcohol.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Don't turn back on coal miners, but focus on future
Asked if they would devote more government resources to sustain the coal industry or invest in alternative, renewable fuels for the state's future, Salango said he would "never turn his back on coal miners" while focusing on training
in new, other forms of energy. "We have to make sure we're providing other opportunities, providing vocational and technical training to kids in middle school and high school."
"We know there is a life span on coal," Salango said. Justice said Salango saying there is a life span on coal is Salango "throwing in the towel" on coal miners. "I truly believe that coal has a future, a real future,"
Justice said. "Now, it might be diversified ... absolutely. To give up on coal, there's no way Jim Justice is doing that."
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Shouldn't have to sue governor to live in capital city
A lawsuit is pending before the West Virginia Supreme Court about the governor's lack of residency in the capital city. "I wasn't born wealthy. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth,"
Salango said. "We need somebody with energy, somebody who is going to bring new ideas, somebody who is going to move West Virginia forward, not somebody you have to sue just to get them to show up to work."
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 19, 2020