SUTTON — Republican state senate candidate Jack Reger outlined his priorities on affordability, senior services and economic growth during remarks in Sutton as he campaigns in the District 11 primary.
Reger, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Bill Hamilton and former Sen. Robert Karnes, said rising costs and access to services, particularly for seniors, are central concerns driving his campaign.
“I’m running for state senate because I’m concerned about affordability. I’m worried about our senior citizens,” Reger said.
He proposed automatically granting the state’s senior citizens tax credit to residents once they turn 65, eliminating what he described as a burdensome application process.
“Our senior citizens should automatically receive the senior citizens tax credit once they turn the age of 65,” he said. “They should not have to go through the laborious process of having to apply.”
Reger also pointed to disparities in access to services between rural and more populated areas, saying seniors in rural communities should receive the same level of care and support.
“The seniors in rural areas need the same opportunities and they need the same services as our seniors who live closer to municipalities,” he said.
Beyond senior issues, Reger said improving affordability for families would require boosting economic development and making the state more attractive to businesses.
“We need to become more business-friendly so that businesses feel free to invest in our great state,” he said.
He also called for expanded energy production, including natural gas and coal, arguing that increased supply would help lower utility costs.
“An abundance of energy will lower utility costs for all families in West Virginia,” Reger said.
In addition, Reger advocated for opening West Virginia’s insurance market to more out-of-state providers, saying increased competition could reduce premiums. He cited states such as Georgia, Maine, Wyoming and Rhode Island as examples.
“If we bring in competition throughout the nation, our insurance premiums would decrease,” he said.
Reger is seeking the Republican nomination ahead of the May 12 primary election.
