Conservation West Virginia is committed to electing strong conservation candidates to the West Virginia Legislature. We will only endorse a candidate who is clearly superior to his or her opponent on conservation issues, as demonstrated by his or her previous work and answers to our questionnaire. We are proud to offer the following endorsed candidates for your consideration and support.
Lucia Valentine
DELEGATE DISTRICT 97
(JEFFERSON-BERKELEY)
Hometown: Martinsburg
Education: Jefferson High School; Shepherd University
Occupation: Environmental Advocate
Legislative Experience: I have experience working at the WV State Capitol and helping to pass legislation that protects the health of West Virginia’s people and resources.
Conservation Activities: West Virginia Environmental Coucil; Moms Clean Air Force WV
Conservation Experience: Past Board Member of Eastern Panhandle Green Coalition
Lucia is a graduate of Jefferson High School and Shepherd University. She has several years of experience at the state Capitol as a lobbyist and advocate for environmental issues. She has worked for the West Virginia Environmental Council and as an advocate for Moms Clean Air Force WV. Lucia lives in Berkeley County and seeks the District 97 seat, which spans parts of Jefferson and Berkeley Counties.
Lucia says: “I am committed to creating opportunities for young people to live, work, and thrive in WV for generations to come. This includes advocating for policy solutions that protect the health of WV’s people and environment. I have experience at the state Capitol, working on environmental legislation and successfully passing environmental protections.”
Maria Russo
DELEGATE DISTRICT 100
(JEFFERSON)
Hometown: Shenandoah Junction, WV
Education: Jefferson High School, 2013, B.A. Public Policy, Brown University, 2018, B.A. Latin American Studies, Brown University, 2018
Occupation: Public Policy Advocate
Legislative Experience: Served as a legislative lobbyist and advocate during the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions.
Conservation Activities: Currently works at West Virginia Rivers Coalition, focusing on clean water and conservation campaigns across the Eastern Panhandle and West Virginia. Also have previous experience working for the West Virginia Environmental Council, advocating for clean water and air across the Mountain State.
Conservation Experience: Co-Founder of Sistermoon Farm, which is an agricultural operation in Shenandoah Junction, committed to conservation, regenerative agricultural practices, and community support in the region.
Maria is a life-long resident of Jefferson County and a 2013 graduate of Jefferson High School. She is the co-founder of Sistermoon Farm, an agricultural operation adhering to conservation best practices. She served as a lobbyist and legislative advocate for the West Virginia Environmental Council during the 2022 and 2023 sessions and currently works for the West Virginia Rivers Coalition.
On the important topic of clean water for West Virginia, Maria says: “I worked extensively to get the PFAS Protection Act passed and in my current job, I work to successfully implement this legislation in WV. I would be honored to continue this work as a member of the WV legislature.”
John Doyle
SENATE DISTRICT 16
(JEFFERSON-BERKELEY)
Hometown: Shepherdstown
Education: BS (Pol Sci/Hist) Shepherd University, 1966
Occupation: Retired
Legislative Experience: 26 years WV House of delegates
John Doyle is a Shepherd University graduate and army veteran who has had extensive legislative service – 26 years representing a Jefferson County constituency in the House of Delegates. In that role he was consistently one of the strongest pro-environment legislators in Charleston. He now seeks the District 16 Senate seat, representing Jefferson and part of Berkeley Counties.
When asked why voters should support him versus his opponent, John says: “I understand that climate change is real, and human activity is a substantial cause. I was an original sponsor of the West Virginia Green Amendment (to the state constitution), which would guarantee all clean air and clean drinking water, and my opponent does not support the WV Green Amendment.”
Osmund Anderson
DELEGATE DISTRICT 99
(JEFFERSON)
Hometown: Charles Town
Education: Pursuing my Ph.D in Organizational Leadership at Shenandoah University. I am in my sixth semester.
Occupation: U.S. Army Retired, 22 years of service.
Osmund Anderson is a retired U.S. Army veteran with 22 years of service. He is a Shepherd University graduate, now pursuing his PhD. in Organizational Management at Shenandoah University. He seeks the District 99 House of Delegates seat from Jefferson County, representing Charles Town where he and his wife live.
Osmund believes that renewable energy development is good for the economy: “Expanding renewable energy capacity can attract businesses, create jobs, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Balancing economic development with environmental sustainability is crucial for long-term prosperity.”
Evan Hansen
DELEGATE DISTRICT 79
(MONONGALIA)
Hometown: Morgantown
Education: B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from M.I.T. ; M.S. in Energy and Resources from U.C.-Berkeley
Occupation: Consultant on water and energy science and policy and economic development at Downstream Strategies
Evan is the premier environmental legislator now in the House of Delegates. He is the lead sponsor of many important environmental bills relating to plugging abandoned and orphan gas wells, locating solar facilities on brownfield properties and more. He introduced community solar legislation several years in a row. He is President of Downstream Strategies, an environmental consulting group in Morgantown.
Evan believes we need to “allow all types of electricity generation to thrive in West Virginia so that we can create jobs and attract investment in a low-carbon future.” He also has supported the joint resolution calling for a green amendment to the state Constitution that would ensure “people have a right to clean air, pure water, and a stable climate.”
Troy Miller
DELEGATE DISTRICT 98
(JEFFERSON)
Hometown: Kearneysville
Education: The Linsly School, Highschool 2009; Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service, Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service. Science, Technology, and International Affairs w/ Concentration in Energy and Environmental Policy 2013; On-Going, Shepherd University, M.A. In Appalachian Studies
Occupation: Co-owner, We Act Radio & Executive Producer, The Zero Hour with Richard Eskow; It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way with Rebecca Vallas; Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
Troy is a graduate of Georgetown University and is currently working on his master’s degree in Appalachian studies at Shepherd University. Professionally, Troy has more than a decade of experience working in television and radio as a writer and producer for outlets ranging from local to international. Additionally, Troy worked for years as an organizer for Social Security Works, a Washington, D.C-based nonprofit committed to lowering prescription drug prices.
Troy says: “I have a track record of fighting for smart long-term use and stewardship of our natural resources. I have studied and fully recognize the correct and future impact of climate change, along with the opportunity to create and foster a sustainable economy and stewardship of our community.”
Bill Reger-Nash
DELEGATE DISTRICT 82
(MONONGALIA)
Hometown: Morgantown
Education: Doctoral Degree, Exercise Physiology, WVU, 1984 Master’s Degree, Political Science, University of Hawaii, 1974 Master’s Degree, Educational Psychology, University of Hawaii, 1973 Bachelor Degree, French, Marist College, 1965
Occupation: Professor Emeritus, WVU School of Public Health
Legislative Experience: WV House of Delegates, Representing Wheeling/Ohio County, 1986-88
Conservation Activities: Sierra Club, Center for Science in the Public Interest
Conservation Experience: My book entitled Foundations of Wellness reflects my focus on conservation and non waste. Chapter 11 is entitled Sustaining Environmental Health
Bill is a former West Virginia legislator running for the District 82 seat in Eastern Monongalia County. He is an emeritus professor in the School of Public Health at WVU.
He says: “Coal and oil will be part of the energy supply here in WV BUT we need to move aggressively toward renewable energy sources at the same time. I’m running for the House because I believe my neighbors in eastern Monongalia County deserve a representative in Charleston who supports working people with integrity, honesty, and a spirit of cooperation. I learned in a lifetime of work in West Virginia – including previous service in the Legislature – that we can accomplish any goal if we come together for the greater good, listen to one another, and provide respect to every individual in our community.”
Diane Market Gaston
DELEGATE DISTRICT 78
(MONONGALIA)
Hometown: Morgantown
Education: Ferum College; Master of Social Work, WVU
Occupation: Social Worker, small business owner
Diane lives in Morgantown and is running for the District 78 seat representing the area west of the city. She is a graduate of Ferum College and holds a Master of Social Work degree from WVU. Her campaign focuses on West Virginia values, and she believes that “protection of our beautiful mountains is of utmost importance to all West Virginians” and key foundation of her campaign.
She says: “Our best kept secret is the outdoor recreation we have. We need to have a far-reaching campaign to promote this truth.”
Johnny Haught
DELEGATE DISTRICT 4
(OHIO)
Hometown: Bethlehem, WV
Johnny Haught is a serious man. He is a candidate for the House of Delegates from District 4 in Wheeling. He has run distance races in bare feet and backwards to raise money for children’s shoes. He is a professional MMA fighter and owner of Ohio Valley MMA in downtown Wheeling. Haught gained national attention in 2023 after he and some of his fighters volunteered to provide security for members of the LGBTQIA community participating in a “drag brunch” at a local restaurant following reports of potential threats to patrons and performers.
Here is his philosophy: “I’ve always strived to leave the places I am better than when I found them. I’m trying to do this on a bigger scale now. The future of our planet depends on better decision making. We need to make decisions to do the right thing whether it takes retraining an industry of workers, or a company making less money at the end of the year. We have to leave a better planet for the future.”
