Eugene Chiarelli
2022 - Present
2024
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Eugene Chiarelli (Republican Party) (also known as Geno) is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 78. He assumed office on December 1, 2022. His term ended on December 1, 2024.
Chiarelli (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the West Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 78. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Geno Chiarelli earned a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in 2018. His career experience includes working as a substance abuse counselor and with child protective services in Marion County.[1]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Chiarelli was assigned to the following committees:
- House Education Committee
- Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services Committee
- House Government Organization Committee
- Senior, Children, and Family Issues Committee
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Elections
2024
See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2024
General election
General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78
Incumbent Eugene Chiarelli defeated Diane Market Gaston in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Eugene Chiarelli (R) | 55.7 | 4,624 |
 | Diane Market Gaston (D)  | 44.3 | 3,675 | |
| Total votes: 8,299 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78
Diane Market Gaston advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diane Market Gaston | 100.0 | 1,226 |
| Total votes: 1,226 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78
Incumbent Eugene Chiarelli advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eugene Chiarelli | 100.0 | 1,603 |
| Total votes: 1,603 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Chiarelli in this election.
2022
See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2022
General election
General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78
Eugene Chiarelli defeated Jeffrey Budkey in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eugene Chiarelli (R) | 56.6 | 3,056 |
 | Jeffrey Budkey (D) | 43.4 | 2,341 | |
| Total votes: 5,397 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78
Jeffrey Budkey advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 on May 10, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeffrey Budkey | 100.0 | 721 |
| Total votes: 721 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78
Eugene Chiarelli defeated Toni DiChiacchio and Scott Nale in the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 on May 10, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eugene Chiarelli | 36.8 | 444 |
 | Toni DiChiacchio | 31.8 | 384 | |
| Scott Nale | 31.4 | 379 | |
| Total votes: 1,207 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eugene Chiarelli did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Eugene Chiarelli completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chiarelli's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a substance abuse counselor who is tired of waiting for our legislators to do something about the problems running rampant in my state. I'm running on a platform that puts West Virginians first. I can't sit by any longer and let our leaders squabble over fine print. I have firsthand experience dealing with those directly affected by the opioid crisis and I offer a valuable perspective and several solutions that can potentially turn the tide in my state's battle. I bring to the table a traditional conservative mindset that is pro-life, pro-family, pro-worker, and pro-gun. I’m a conservative that plans on actually attempting to preserve our values and our faith. Above all else, I look forward to doing everything I can to bring West Virginia, and myself, closer to Jesus Christ.
- The opioid crisis needs to be our number one focus because we can't build a healthy and functioning society with a pervasive sickness running rampant.
- We need to renew our dedication to building a society that promotes Christian family values.
- Our government needs to establish industry practices that make West Virginia more attractive to outside businesses.
Given my past in child protective services and my current experience in substance abuse counseling, I am personally passionate about working to undo the damage done by the opioid epidemic. I can see what it has done to our communities and I'd bet that there isn't a single West Virginia who doesn't know someone personally affected by the opioid crisis if they haven't been affected themselves.
More than anything or anyone, I look up to the Lord Jesus Christ. It was through finding Christ that I found the passion and desire to run for public office. While I'll fall miles short of Him, I can only hope to imitate a mere fraction of His grace. Second, I look up to my mother. She has fought tooth and nail to give me the life that I've had, and even with all of the ups and downs, she never stopped working. I have yet to see someone with a similar work ethic and I try and make her proud each and every day.
Integrity, transparency, and a faithful commitment to their beliefs and values.
I am unafraid to stand firm in my beliefs and defend them in the face of opposition. I have a clear vision for what I want to accomplish and I plan on acting with complete transparency. I want to truly be the voice of West Virginians in the legislature and plan on actively including them every step of the way.
The core responsibilities include bringing the needs of your district to the state legislature, identifying ways you can improve the state via policy, and starting conversations about the issues you think are most pressing and getting your coworkers involved in the discussion.
I'd like to leave behind a legacy that includes contributions to a better society. I would like to look back and be able to point to concrete things I've done or helped others with that changed my state and country for the better.
My first ever historical moment that I remember was 9/11. I was six years old and I remember my 1st grade teacher announcing to the class that we were going home early. I remember going home and seeing my parents standing in front of our TV while the towers burned.
My first job ever was a job at a grocery store called Shop n Save. I started work less than a week after I turned 16 years old. I worked as a grocery bagger and cart handler for about six months before being offered a raise at a fast food restaurant on the other side of town.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki is one of the most useful books I've ever read. A terrific blend of business oriented and lifestyle mindsets that promote success. Reading this book was a turning point for me mentally.
Wolves at the Door by Yngwie Malmsteen
The relationship needs to be a give and take. There needs to be synergy between the two; the governor needs to bring identified issues to the attention of the legislature for them to draft policy, and the legislature needs to bring the concerns of the people of their respective districts to the attention of the governor. Together, the two can achieve results as long as there is communication and transparency.
West Virginia's greatest challenge is defeating the opioid crisis and releasing the state from it's clutches. The long term damage is incalculable and we need to spend the majority of our time solving it. The benefits of a restoration of the population and a revitalization of our workforce will flow over into every area of our lives; health care facilities, prisons, police forces, foster care system, welfare population, et cetera the list goes on and on.
If your desired party retains a majority, they'll be unopposed and can enact change with little resistance. Change would come faster and more policy could pass if we had to worry about fewer people in office. On the negative side, this can lead to the complete silencing of the minority party and the people they represent.
There are a few practical reasons that having prior experience is important for; however, given the current climate of our society, it seems safe to assume that a large number of politicians in office have become stagnant. The water is warm for newcomers to enter the playing field and shake up the system. Passionate, everyday people that are unburdened by prior learned bad behaviors or habits. Fresh faces in office might be the jolt that our legislatures need.
Building relationships with other legislators seems crucial for getting your agenda accomplished. The more legislators you network with, the more you can accomplish when you present your ideas or policies as you have a greater force advocating for it instead of a lone proprietor.
Redistricting is often done in an attempt to tip the scales in one party or the other's favor. I have to say that I'm in favor of the single person district method, as that is what has given me the chance to run in an area that I wouldn't have been able to before. County lines are a good jumping off point for district lines.
I'd like to end up on Health and Human Resources, as fighting the drug epidemic is my number one priority. I would also want to be a part of Education and/or Senior, Children, and Family Issues, as I've seen too many vulnerable people, namely children, go without someone standing up for them.
I'd like to spend some time in the House of Delegates before considering a different office. If I can work with other likeminded legislators and truly change West Virginia for the better, I'd consider taking those same ideas to the national level. Until then, I'm concerned with my state and how I can make a local difference.
I believe that there are some policy areas that will require compromise on both sides for effective legislation to pass. That being said, I believe that there are areas that can not have a single inch of concession as they are core components of the entire belief system.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of West Virginia scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 11.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 12.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 |
Officeholder West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 7, 2022
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| Preceded by - |
West Virginia House of Delegates District 78 2022-Present |
Succeeded by - |
