CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler is ready to try his hand at the State Senate.
Lance Wheeler
Wheeler, who served as Commission President for much of 2024, is looking to succeed Mark Hunt in the role of Senator for the 8th Senatorial district. Hunt recently moved up to be the State Auditor.
Wheeler, the St. Albans native, said he was approached by some friends and colleagues about the role, and he would be honored to serve.
“It would be a privilege to work with our incoming governor, Patrick Morrisey, and his bold agenda for West Virginia,” Wheeler said. “Regardless, my goal is to be in a position to serve the people of the Mountain State. Whatever we can do to make West Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family, that’s what I want to do, so I’d like to see myself considered.
Wheeler, who was elected to the commission in 2020, was replaced as commission president by Ben Salango during the last meeting. Wheeler says the commission will not miss a beat with the appointment of Salango as president.
“I think being there for eight years gives you the experience and knowledge of how a county commission runs, even the largest county here in West Virginia,” Wheeler said. “I think he’s going to be able to bring a lot of that knowledge and then some ideas that he might have.”
“I think he’s going to bring that type of fire, that type of passion, and looking at how we can be better every single day and not just relying on the old ways that we’ve always done it,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler also says the commission has wanted to begin rotating the president role after former President Kent Carper held the title for over two decades.
“We’ve always had discussions that we felt like the president role should be rotated, much like they do in judicial offices,” Wheeler said.
Despite the title change, Wheeler remains on the commission with Salango and new Commissioner Natalie Tennant and will continue serving unless a move to the State Senate is made. Wheeler says he’s enjoyed serving the citizens of Kanawha County and will continue doing so, but his interest is helping the entire state.
“I am very, very happy serving the constituents here of Kanawha County at the county commission,” Wheeler said. “This has been a very difficult decision, but my interest does lie in seeing what we can do to help the entire state of West Virginia.
In reflecting on the accomplishments the commission saw last year, Wheeler pointed to the ability to be efficient with their respective government, a theme Governor Morrisey has promised to incorporate in his administration.
“We were able to cut areas that we felt were waste, while we continued to have a balanced budget and never raise taxes. We continue to look at cost-efficient methods, not just on the commission, but with all of our entities,” Wheeler said. “I think that was the real success is doing the hard work and looking at the areas that we can be more efficient with government, while still providing the excellent services.”
If Wheeler were to be the fill the vacancy for the 8th Senatorial district, which covers the northern half of Kanawha County, he would work with new Senate President Randy Smith. Wheeler says he has a vision that aligns with Smith and Governor Morrisey.
“I think that he’s a man of the people. I think that Senate President Randy Smith is somebody that understands the struggles that West Virginians are going through every day. I think we understands that they’re overtaxed. I think that he understands that small business, mom and pops, are over-regulated,” Wheeler said. “Having that knowledge coming in in that leadership role, I think is pivotal in looking at what we can do today to move West Virginia forward, and I know that’s what Governor Morrisey wants as well, and it’s something that I would want.”