Name Robert B. Wolford
Office Sought WV House of Delegates
Party Affiliation Independent
District 89th
City/Town Points
Campaign Website N?A
Data shows that Black and low-income students are disciplined at a higher rate than their peers in West Virginia schools. Involvement of School Resource Officers (SROs) exacerbates these discrepancies and can lead to the school-to-prison pipeline. Studies show SROs do little to make schools safer, while contributing to harsher discipline and drawing resources away from other services like mental health and other support services. What is your position on having SROs in schools?
In my experience as a teacher, I believe that having the presence of an officer in schools has become a necessary response to many problems experienced in a school environment. I would like to think that officers can conduct themselves professionally and forethought in all situations.
Mental health has been a growing concern since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Conversations on mental health are complicated by the prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) in the state. WV has long wait times for mental health services including SUD treatment. One proposal is using mental health teams as first responders. Would you support funding for more mental health response teams? Why or why not, and what if any is the role of the legislature in solving this issue?
I would. Reality is that our world had grown far more complicated in the last few years and the rate of these compounding complications is accelerating. Mental health literacy for our total population is necessary.
In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In response, the West Virginia Legislature banned most abortions. Do you agree or disagree with this new law? What do you think West Virginia's abortion policies should be?
On the whole I DO agree with this legislation. However, its implementation has been forced on the population. There should be three clear exceptions for the ban, those are in cases of documented rape, incest, or a risk to the health of the mother.
Several West Virginia municipalities have passed ordinances that expand the definition of racial discrimination to include discriminating against traditional or natural hair textures and styles. Would you support expanding this protection statewide? Why or why not?
The US Constitution protects freedom of speech. This includes expressions of clothing, hair, tattoos, etc. I would support this legislation but find it disquieting that it is needed.
Many states have created laws that seek to limit the teaching of "divisive concepts" or "critical race theory.” West Virginia narrowly missed passing a similar law during the 2022 Legislative Session. What is the value or harm in teaching these topics and what role should the legislature play in determining this curriculum?
I would have voted for this legislation. I do believe that the teaching of CRT to students in public schools is inappropriate as the abstraction of these interpretations is divisive and distracting to the mission of public education.
Currently there is no statewide law protecting people in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Do you support or oppose adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s nondiscrimination law? Why or why not?
I do. The US Constitution protects everyone. I have family who are openly gay and find that they could be discriminated based on their orientation to be at odds with the rights guaranteed by the US Constitution. I would support this legislation but again, find it disquieting that it is needed.
There is increasing tension with communities of people who are unhoused or face housing insecurity. Police breakups of encampments are common, and municipalities have shown growing opposition to low-barrier housing and recovery housing. How would you address community concerns while protecting the rights of unhoused people?
Housing is a basic human right. There are agencies in place that facilitate the finding of housing for those in need. In this, we are our brother's keeper. Strengthening those agencies, with their boots on the ground knowledge and know-how would be the practical starting point for any such effort.
Jails in West Virginia are overcrowded, have some of the nation’s highest death rates, and are bankrupting some counties. Prisons are understaffed, making them dangerous for residents and staff alike. What steps should West Virginia take to address these issues?
Funding for incarceration is the key objection. Increasing pay and benefits for staff would help. What troubles me most is the nature of crimes that draw jail-time. An arrest for intoxication in public should not require a county to pay for three hots and a cot. Community service, home confinement, day reporting, etc. would be more appropriate.
Taxpayers who have served time behind bars and are currently on probation and/or parole cannot vote in West Virginia. The West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee joined a growing number of states this year and passed a bill that would have expanded that right to people in community corrections. When, if ever do you think people should lose their right to vote? When should that right be restored?
If a person is behind bars, they have every reason to vote. If they are released, they then can be brought further into a corrected state by participating in voting. Again, given our current rate of voter participation, I am unsure of the objection.
Study after study shows that gender-affirming care is lifesaving for trans people. And yet, some states have banned things like hormone therapy and even labeled gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse. How can West Virginia, a state with a large percentage of trans-identifying teens, best protect transgender people?
Again, the US Constitution does not distinguish between a person's orientation and their level of rights. I am unsure why this is even an issue. If a person identifies as a woman, then they are. I DO agree that minors are not served by medical interventions that are not necessary to maintain a healthy body.