Independent Gubernatorial candidate and West Virginia Delegate S. Marshall Wilson held a town hall in Lewisburg on Monday, October 19. Wilson took questions from the people in attendance, as well as those watching on YouTube and Facebook Live. Lewisburg attorney John H. Bryan hosted the event and also served as moderator. Wilson began the evening by telling attendees and viewers a little bit about himself.
“I’m a retired, veteran U.S. Army Infantry Officer,” Wilson said. “I was a missionary in the Amazon jungle. I have nine children; two of them I adopted in the Amazon jungle. I have a master’s degree in national security, with a focus on how free society is devolved into a totalitarian one — the way it’s happening right here, right now. I am a currently-serving delegate from the eastern-panhandle of West Virginia. And I have no desire other than to reestablish constitutional governance in the state of West Virginia.”
Wilson was first asked what he would have done differently with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wilson responded by saying he would have created an “AHOP,” an all hazards operation plan, as he believes the state does not currently have one.
“I would first create a base plan, so then we could make specific plans,” Wilson said.
The only thing Wilson feels that Governor Jim Justice did correctly in dealing with the pandemic was declaring a state of preparedness. However, according to W.Va. code, a state of preparedness can last no more than 30 days, and Wilson believes Justice proceeded in an incorrect manner thereafter by declaring a state of emergency.
“You don’t shut everything down because you’ve got one issue you’ve got to deal with,” Wilson said. “Real leadership is being able to deal with the big picture. Recognizing how everything fits together. And when you do have a critical issue, you’re able to manage that issue while managing everything else.”
Wilson feels as though COVID-19 does not represent an emergency in West Virginia and that the state should have remained fully open while the situation was monitored.
The next question posed to Wilson was: “How do you stand on marijuana?”
Wilson answered with a joke.
“I don’t actually stand on marijuana,” Wilson said. “My understanding is that ruins it.”
Wilson went on to say that personal use of marijuana is “none of the government’s business.”
After this, Wilson took questions regarding education, highway projects, job creation, healthcare, unemployment, government transparency, abortion rights and motorcycle helmet, and seat belt-laws, which he opposes. Wilson approached almost every question in the same manner, stating that the only function of government is to protect the liberties and ensure the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of every West Virginian.
With regard to police reform, Wilson believes it is really legal reform that is necessary, as police do nothing more than enforce the laws as they currently exist.
When asked about acting as the “spoiler’ by splitting Republican votes between himself and Republican nominee and current Governor Jim Justice, Wilson said: “I’m not quitting.”
Wilson believes that Justice is “unelectable,” and that it is actually him that is causing a split within the Republican vote.
As Delegate S. Marshall Wilson is not on the gubernatorial ballot, those wishing to vote for him must write-in his name when casting their vote under the section that will say: “write in other candidate if any.”
Election day in West Virginia is Tuesday, November 3.
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