← WV House of Delegates — District 98
Joe Funkhouser✓ Incumbent
Voted against HB 2014; opposes MARL; still backs data centers.
- Voted NO on HB 2014 (2025), which let certified data centers bypass local zoning, citing water use and local control.
- Still supports data centers as an economic driver.
- Sponsored 2025 bills tightening groundwater rules for commercial water bottlers; both died after industry lobbying, and he plans to try again.
- Opposes the MARL transmission line through Jefferson County.
Context: The MARL case is pending before state regulators.
Backs lowering taxes; sponsored a bigger homestead exemption.
- Sponsored a 2025 bill to double the homestead exemption for seniors and disabled veterans.
- Supports "lowering taxes."
- His site cites a 5% personal income tax cut (SB392).
No public position found on the vehicle property tax.
Context: His own vote on the 2023, 2025, and 2026 income tax cuts is unconfirmed.
Backs charter schools and growing the Hope Scholarship.
- Platform supports charter schools and growing the Hope Scholarship.
- His site says he is "ensuring our schools are safe by putting security personnel in every building."
- His site cites a 3% pay raise for educators and public employees (HB 4765).
No public position found on the 2026 Hope Scholarship expansion, the K-12 funding formula.
Platform includes a pro-life stance.
- Platform includes a general pro-life/"defending life" stance.
No public position found on Medicaid, PEIA, prescription drug pricing.
Context: No abortion-related bill or vote found.
Sponsored a surplus-property bidding law; backed TEAM West Virginia.
- Sponsored HB 4484 (enacted 2026), letting counties sell surplus property by competitive bid.
- Supported "TEAM West Virginia," a proposed economic-development nonprofit.
- Said in Jan. 2026 he would introduce a business-incentive/deregulation bill.
Context: His vote on TEAM West Virginia is unconfirmed; the outcome of the incentive bill is unclear.
Serves on the county Farmland Protection Board.
- Serves on the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board.
- His site says he has long advocated for county farming and thoroughbred breeding and racing.
Site lists "protecting our 2nd amendment rights."
- His site lists "protecting our 2nd amendment rights."
Vote, bill or action Statement or pledge Unverified claim
- Total Contributions: $14,051.02
- Top Donor 1: Katherine Funkhouser, $2,800.00
- Top Donor 2: Blue and Gold PAC, $2,000.00
Joe Funkhouser (Raymond Joseph Funkhouser III) is the Republican incumbent for WV House District 98 (Jefferson County), appointed 2024 and now Assistant Majority Whip. Fourth-generation Jefferson County resident; attorney (Of Counsel, Silverman Theologou LLP); Shepherd University and WVU Law graduate; family ties to Thoroughbred racing industry.
West Virginia Farm Bureau; National Rifle Association (received an NRA A- rating in 2016); West Virginians for Life; West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association; West Virginia Citizens Defense League and Contractors Association of West Virginia; 2026-cycle endorsements from NRA
Sources: General Policy research dossier, Federal Policy research dossier (compiled September 2026)
Running in: WV House of Delegates — District 98 (2026 General Election)