CLARKSBURG — Buckhannon City Councilman and former Assistant Superintendent of Upshur County Schools Jack Reger has officially filed to run for the West Virginia State Senate in District 11. He submitted his candidacy Wednesday at the Secretary of State’s office in Clarksburg. Reger will face incumbent Sen. Bill Hamilton and former Sen. Robert Karnes in the Republican Primary.
Reger said he is running because many families in the district are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
“I’m running because too many families are being priced out of the life they work so hard to build,” Reger continued, “And now, we’re watching that same pressure force school doors to close across our district,” he said.
He emphasized that affordability goes beyond political talking points.
“Affordability isn’t a cheap talking point. It’s whether you can pay your taxes, your power bill, your insurance, your healthcare costs, and still put something away for your kids. My plan starts with growing our economy the right way.”
Reger called for driving policies that support self-sustaining private companies that create jobs without relying on government handouts or bailouts.
“By attracting and expanding self-supported private sector companies, not taxpayer-dependent handouts, we can generate billions in new economic investment and state revenue,” he said.
He argued that encouraging this type of growth would strengthen local businesses, create meaningful jobs, and provide the state with the resources to offer tax relief to middle-class families.
As part of his economic plan, Reger highlighted measures to help families keep their homes.
“That includes expanding homestead exemptions so seniors and working families can stay in their homes,” he said, referring to his proposal to allow primary residences to be exempt from property taxes.
He said these steps would provide relief to those struggling with rising costs while encouraging long-term stability in local communities.
Reger also emphasized the need to protect affordable energy for families across the district.
“We must also protect affordable energy by expanding our coal and natural gas industries and opposing costly ‘green energy’ mandates that would drive up utility bills,” he said.
He argued that supporting traditional energy sources is essential to keeping household costs manageable while maintaining reliable power for homes and businesses.
Reger said lowering insurance costs and holding companies accountable is another key priority of his affordability plan.
“I’ll fight to lower insurance costs by joining states like Georgia, Maine, Rhode Island, and Wyoming in allowing cross-state insurance competition,” he said.
He added that families facing difficult times should be able to rely on their coverage.
“When covered incidents occur and families are going through some of the hardest moments of their lives, I’ll make sure insurance companies keep their promises and pay people what they’re owed,” Reger said. “Affordability is also about whether families believe they can build a future here.”
Reger said school closures across the district have a profound impact on communities and families.
“When schools close in Upshur, Barbour, and Randolph counties, we don’t just lose buildings. We lose pieces of our communities, our stability, and our investment into the next generation,” he said.
He added that longer bus rides, crowded classrooms, and disappearing hometown schools send a devastating message to families that it may be time to look elsewhere to live.
“That’s the message that our current state senator has sent to this district,” Reger said, criticizing the record of school closures under the incumbent.
Reger noted that District 11 has seen more school closures than any other senate district in West Virginia.
“That’s unacceptable for our parents, our teachers, our bus drivers, our custodians, and most importantly our students,” Reger said. “I’m running to change that message, to preserve our way of life, make our state more affordable, keep good jobs here at home, and ensure our schools remain the heart of the communities they serve.”
Reger concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of effective leadership and policies that prioritize families and communities.
“West Virginia can be affordable again, but only with strong leadership, common sense, and the courage to put our children, our communities, and our families first.”
The Republican Primary is scheduled for May 12.
