← WV House of Delegates — District 97
Lucia Valentine
Faults the 2025 data-center law for bypassing local control.
- Wrote a 2026 op-ed faulting the Legislature for rejecting a water-impact study for data centers (defeated 12-8 in committee).
- Says the 2025 siting law bypasses local control and sends most tax revenue to the state.
Context: Her opponent, Del. Chris Anders, co-sponsored a broader water-protection amendment that also failed 6-87, so this is not a clean partisan divide.
Wants taxes to favor working families; backs locality pay.
- Wants a tax system favoring "working families over corporations"; says budget surpluses show taxpayers were overtaxed.
- Backs locality pay for Eastern Panhandle state employees.
- Says she is running "to lower the cost of living, strengthen our community, and represent the values we all share."
No public position found on income tax cuts, the vehicle property tax.
Backs public school investment and teacher raises; wants parent input.
- Supports investing in public education and teacher pay raises.
- Says parents should have input "without diverting resources" from public schools.
Context: Unclear whether she opposes the Hope Scholarship.
Topics checked: Medicaid, PEIA, drug pricing, reproductive health.
Backs "responsible development" that protects water and farmland.
- Supports "responsible development" that balances jobs with protecting water, farmland, and rural land.
- Reportedly opposes heavy state control of a $4 billion data-center project.
Context: She has not named the project.
Says reliable child care strengthens the workforce.
- Says reliable, high-quality child care "strengthens our future and our workforce."
Vote, bill or action Statement or pledge Unverified claim
- Total Contributions: $56,852.10
- Top Donor 1: Steven White, $5,600.00 (Not Employed)
- Top Donor 2: Lucia Valentine, $3,705.41
Democrat running for WV House of Delegates District 97 (Jefferson and Berkeley Counties). Lost to Republican incumbent Chris Anders in 2024; rematch in 2026. Grew up in Jefferson County; graduate of Shepherd University. Worked as a Capitol lobbyist for environmental and family-health groups; now leads WV Women’s Alliance.
West Virginia Education Association PAC. United Mine Workers (2024). Run for Something (Democratic candidate training/recruitment group) lists her as a supported candidate. Blue Voter Guide (progressive voter guide site)
Sources: Candidate Research Bot dossiers, campaign materials, news coverage, public records
Running in: WV House of Delegates — District 97 (2026 General Election)