Core Principles
Our country was founded on the basis of core principles: citizens have a right to liberty, to enjoy the fruits of their own labor, to freely worship and adhere to the tenets of their faith, to own private property, to exercise free speech, to live in a country with limited government, to receive equal treatment under the law, and to pursue peace and prosperity. These principles, enshrined within in our Constitution, are the underpinnings of what makes our country great, and what distinguishes the United States from many other countries around the world.Unfortunately, many of the very freedoms that we cherish so dearly are under assault. In West Virginia, our state motto is “Montani, Semper, Liberi,” Mountaineers are always free. Yet increasingly, federal and state government are suffocating our freedoms and consigning our citizens to economic and political serfdom. Every day, it seems we hear more about government mandates and burdensome regulations that shackle our creative energies and do precious little to promote the public good. We read about politicians who cling to power so closely for so long that they forget about first principles and the very people they were elected to serve.
I want to change that and will bring the full weight of the West Virginia Attorney General’s office to advance the principles of limited government and freedom. We will accomplish this while maintaining high ethical standards in public service. As Attorney General, I will take a fresh look at how the Office of Attorney General operates, reform it, and then reallocate resources to create an Office of Federalism and Freedom, whose sole goal will be to advance freedom and West Virginia's positions against the federal government and overreaching agencies. We will bring new leadership to efforts to repeal Obamacare, stopping unconstitutional mandates, curbing federal and state regulations, and advancing ethics reform. When precious public resources are expended, they will focus on those who need it most.
The incumbent, who has worked in government over 32 years, has been on the wrong side of these issues. Quite simply, he has lost his way. He had his opportunities to join this fight, but didn’t. Now it’s time for him to step aside. 32 years in public office is just too long, especially when we have such important first principles at stake.
I love West Virginia and am proud to call the state my home. My 20 years of legal, policy, and governmental experience and commitment to West Virginia values, the Constitution, and freedom will allow the state to redefine its relationship with the federal government, maintain freedom, and put an end to illegal and unconstitutional mandates that destroy job growth in our state.