Jeff Kessler on Drugs

	Jeff Kessler on Drugs

$1 tax per pack on cigarettes, to decrease smoking

Last year, while not popular, Jeff proposed a $1 tax per pack on cigarettes. West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate in the country. Sadly, West Virginia is one of the only states in the county that hasn't seen a reduction in smoking rates in over a decade. Evidence shows increasing the tobacco tax decreases the number of people smoking, especially among adolescents. Also, at a time when the state is facing a budget shortfall, the tax increase would provide some much needed budgetary relief. Jeff proposes dedicating $20 million a year from the tobacco tax for substance abuse treatment programs. The substance abuse epidemic is killing our people, hurting our families and destroying our communities. We need to provide intervention and recovery services to individuals who need and want treatment. Source: 2016 gubernatorial website, JeffKesslerForGovernor.com , Jun 17, 2015

Make enough substance abuse treatment facilities

Jeff is no different than the thousands of West Virginia families that are hurting because a loved one is suffering from addiction. He knows what it's like to watch a loved one go down a path of destruction and have nowhere to send them for help. As your Governor, Jeff will make sure there are enough substance abuse treatment facilities and programs throughout the state. Source: 2016 gubernatorial website, JeffKesslerForGovernor.com , Jun 17, 2015

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*WV Gubernatorial:* JB McCuskey Jim Justice Mac Warner Moore Capito Patrick Morrisey Steve Williams *WV Senatorial:* Alex Mooney Don Blankenship Glenn Elliott Jim Justice Joe Manchin III Paula Jean Swearengin Richard Ojeda	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]