GASSAWAY — Republican state senate candidate Jack Reger centered his campaign message on affordability during remarks in Gassaway, highlighting energy costs and insurance premiums as key concerns for voters in District 11.
Reger, who is running against incumbent Sen. Bill Hamilton (R-Upshur, 11) and former Sen. Robert Karnes in the Republican Primary, said lowering the cost of living in West Virginia must begin with addressing energy prices.
“Affordability begins with energy cost,” Reger said. “We need to put a freeze on the cost of electric.”
Pointing to the state’s natural resources, Reger called for expanded development of coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels, arguing that increased production would help drive down utility bills.
“Living in the state of West Virginia, so rich in natural resources … we need to encourage and plan on expanding those industries,” he said. “The more abundant our natural resources, the more affordable our utility bills will become.”
Reger also proposed opening West Virginia’s insurance market to greater competition from out-of-state providers, saying such a move could reduce premiums for residents.
“States like Georgia, Maine, Wyoming, Rhode Island … they’ve opened up their states to insurance competition,” he said. “West Virginia needs to follow the same suit.”
Reger is seeking the Republican nomination in the May 12 primary election.
