Conservation West Virginia is committed to electing strong conservation candidates to the West Virginia Legislature. Our endorsements are based on a candidate’s demonstrated commitment to conservation, including previous work, public record, and responses to our questionnaire. While we often endorse the candidate who is clearly superior on conservation issues in a contested race, we may also endorse more than one candidate in a multi-candidate district when each has shown strong conservation leadership. We are proud to offer the following endorsed candidates for your consideration and support.
Cody Cumpston
DELEGATE DISTRICT 6
(MARSHALL)
Hometown: Moundsville, WV
Education: Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering; IBEW Electrican Apprenticeship
Occupation: Electrician
Sarah Reggi
DELEGATE DISTRICT 7
(MARSHALL, WETZEL)
Hometown: Sherrard, WV
Education: I hold a B.S. and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
Occupation: Speech-Language Pathologist
Legislative experience: This is my first time running for an office.
Conservation activities: I was a member of 4-H as a youth. I am an avid day hiker and enjoy the outdoors. I practice leave no trace when I am out in nature. I follow several WV conservation organizations on Facebook.
Conservation experience: I do not hold any positions in conservation organizations.
Justin Beanard
DELEGATE DISTRICT 10
(WOOD)
Hometown: Williamstown, WV
Education: Chemical and Polymer Certification
Occupation: Chemical Operator
Conservation Activities: Previous Volunteer Fire Fighter
Christopher Jones
DELEGATE DISTRICT 10
(WOOD)
Hometown: Williamstown
Education: Parkersburg High School – High School Diploma
Occupation: Warehouse Manager
Conservation activities: Community volunteering help over the years. Most recently, local cleanups and tree planting at Buckley island.
Daniel Miller
DELEGATE DISTRICT 11
(WOOD)
Hometown: Vienna, WV
Education: Regents Bachelor of Arts
Occupation: Care Coordinator
Conservation Activities: Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action
Conservation Experience: Promotion of PurpleAir; participation in grant approval for two nonprofit conservation groups; youth education of ecosystem interactions; youth education of climate impact
Marley Umensetter
DELEGATE DISTRICT 13
(WOOD)
Hometown: Parkersburg, WV
Education: Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology (in progress)
Occupation: Student
Michael Wendell
DELEGATE DISTRICT 78
(MONONGALIA)
Hometown: Morgantown, WV
Education: BA Environmental Planning & Design, Landscape Architecture, Rutgers University, 1988
Occupation: Software Developer
Lucia Valentine
DELEGATE DISTRICT 97
(JEFFERSON, BERKELEY)
Hometown: Shepherdstown, WV
Education: Shepherd University
Occupation: Policy Specialist
Legislative experience: Lobbyist 2022-present
Conservation activities: Potomac Valley Audubon Society Board Member
Marta Beck
DELEGATE DISTRICT 98
(JEFFERSON)
Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
Education: B.S. in Natural Resource Management/Conservation Ecology from Cook College at Rutgers University
Occupation: Farm Manager
Conservation activities: Middleway Conservancy, Jefferson County Foundation
Conservation experience: I’ve donated time and treasure to many conservation organizations over the years.
Jenny Thacker
DELEGATE DISTRICT 100
(JEFFERSON)
Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV
Education: BA in Geography with High Honors, 1989 University of California, Santa Barbara
Occupation: Retired cartographer for NOAA
Conservation activities: Sierra Club, Town Run Watershed, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Volunteer with Berkely Jefferson Master Gardener program
Conservation experience: Two years doing water and sanitation in Zaire, Africa with the US Peace Corps, lots of trail work with the Appalachian Trail Club and other organizations, Volunteer Vacations with the American Hiking Society, Organizing private kayak trips to collect trash out of the Potomac River and Antietam Creek for 20 years. Signing petitions and writing letters at least weekly for 40 years.
