FRANKLIN — Republican State Senate candidate Jack Reger contrasted his campaign message with that of his opponents during remarks in Franklin, criticizing negative campaigning while emphasizing unity, rural schools and affordability issues.
Reger is running in the District 11 Republican Primary against incumbent Sen. Bill Hamilton (R-Upshur) and former Sen. Robert Karnes.
“This race shows a clear difference in direction,” Reger said. “On one side, you have opponents focused on negative campaigning … On the other side, you have a campaign built on bringing people together and moving our district forward.”
Without naming either opponent directly, Reger said political divisions distract from major challenges facing communities across the district.
“The challenges we face are too serious for political games,” he said.
Reger pointed to school closures, rising health care costs and support for public employees as issues requiring stronger leadership. He criticized what he described as failures to act proactively on rural school issues.
“We’ve seen what happens when leadership fails to act,” Reger said. “Schools close, communities suffer, families are left scrambling.”
He also referenced increased health care costs for state employees, calling the issue “a breakdown in leadership.”
Reger said his campaign is focused on protecting rural schools, lowering costs for teachers, service personnel and state employees, and encouraging a more collaborative approach to governing.
“We can protect our rural schools by being proactive instead of reactive,” he said. “We can support our teachers, our service personnel, and state employees by lowering costs instead of raising them.”
Speaking in Pendleton County, Reger highlighted the local school system as a major employer and community institution.
“We’re ready for leadership that brings people together and fights for positive change,” he said.
The District 11 Republican Primary is scheduled for May 12.