CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Delegate Denise Campbell (D, Randolph – 43) officially filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office Monday afternoon, launching her bid for the Democratic nomination for the 11th Senatorial District.
She is the first Democrat to enter the field to challenge Senator Greg Boso (R, Nicholas – 11). Governor Tomblin appointed Boso to this position in 2015 after Clark Barnes vacated the seat to become the new Senate Clerk.
Campbell, a life-long nurse who also teaches nursing students, said her call to run is rooted in her desire to represent people who feel like they aren’t represented.
“My whole focus has always been on the people of West Virginia and being the voice for the people who feel like they don’t have a voice,” Campbell said. “And being that advocate and trying to make life better for people in West Virginia.”
Campbell is a Randolph County native entering her sixth year in the House of Delegates. She said her familiarity covering the largest counties in the state will help her in representing the 11th Senatorial District, which is the largest Senatorial district in any state east of the Mississippi River.
“I look at it as more people to help as opposed to more distance to cover,” she said.
Campbell views her experience in Charleston from a representative standpoint. She believes her job is to best represent the people of her district, rather than represent her own views.
“I represent what the people want me to do,” she said. “And if there is a vote or there is an issue, I take my phone call and my e-mails and I get a tally sheet.”
Campbell cited her experience in Charleston and her willingness to cross party lines as some of her top qualities.
“Every year I learn something new,” she said. “And I take it as a learning experience. And I feel that makes me a very strong candidate because I do have the experience and I do have the knowledge. I have great working relationships across the aisle and within my party.”
One of those issues that often divides the major national parties is abortion. West Virginians for Life gave Campbell an 86% on her pro-life voting record from 2013 to 2015.
Campbell said her health care background has taught her how to support the people she represents.
“I was taught from the very first week of nursing school of being an advocate,” she said. “That comes natural to me.”