Steven Wendelin

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Steven Wendelin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Wendelin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Steven Wendelin was born in San Mateo, California. He served as an active member of the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 2023. He earned a bachelor's degree from the California Maritime Academy in 1990, a graduate degree from the Marine Corps University in 2007, and a graduate degree from the National Defense University in 2014.^[1]

Wendelin has been affiliated with the following organizations:^[1]

Veterans of Foreign Wars
Blacksmiths Guild of the Potomac
Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America
Free and Accepted Masons

Elections

2024

West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Republican primary)

West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Riley Moore defeated Steven Wendelin in the general election for U.S. House West Virginia District 2 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Riley Moore (R)	70.8	268,190
	Steven Wendelin (D)	29.2	110,775

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 378,965
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Steven Wendelin advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2 on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steven Wendelin	100.0	39,832

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,832
= 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 U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Riley Moore defeated Joseph Earley, Chris Walker, Dennis Cain, and Alexander Gaaserud in the Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2 on May 14, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Riley Moore	45.0	47,033
	Joseph Earley	20.3	21,176
	Chris Walker	14.5	15,203
	Dennis Cain	13.0	13,625
	Alexander Gaaserud	7.1	7,453

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 104,490
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Heather Rosen-Turley (R)
Rj Smith (R)

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Steven Wendelin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wendelin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Commander Steven M. Wendelin, United States Navy, Retired. After serving our country for more than 39 years I was planning on having a nice quiet retirement in the most beautiful place in the world, Lost River, West Virginia. However, as I got closer to retirement, I became more and more frustrated with the political process over the past decade. Our Federal Government, particularly Congress, has been hijacked by the 1% and special interests. Therefore, I decided that I need to be part of the solution and bring back common sense to the U.S. House of Representatives. If elected, I will strive to ensure that our government works for all of us, not just the super wealthy and their lobbyists.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

West Virginians deserve better representation in Congress.
Until we reform our campaign finance system by removing soft and dark money, the interests of the individual citizen will not be properly represented.
As individuals we cannot spend more money than we earn. The Federal Government needs to be held to the same standard. A balanced budget needs to be the law of the land and waste, fraud, and abuse need to be rooted out. With a balanced budget the citizens can have a government that works for them and not for just the plutocrats.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

A balanced budget needs to be the law of the land.

A complete overhaul of the tax code needs to be completed to ensure we all pay our fair share, to include the 1%.
Ensure every person’s right to privacy and to not have our personal information bought and sold as a commodity.
Guarantee affordable healthcare and childcare as essential parts of promoting the general welfare.
Ensure that medical decisions are between an individual and their medical provider and should NEVER be legislated at any level of government.
Reform the election finance system to remove undue influence. One voice, one vote. Corporations are NOT individuals.

Reform the immigration system to ensure the process is humane while protecting the integrity of our Nation's borders.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Oh, there are so many. As a lay-historian I have many heroes from history. The one person I keep coming back to is Teddy Roosevelt. He was a person of strong convictions and moral fortitude and I find it fascinating how he tackled tough issues and continuously learned and improved.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism
by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book chronicles how a small group like-minded individuals can reform institutionalized injustices and tear down the status quo.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Character. If you are unethical, you are unfit for office.

Critical thinking and the ability to learn from mistakes.

Empathy and Compassion.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Accessibility, humility, a sense of humor, and decisiveness, informed by the benefit of broad world experience.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To listen to his or her constituency, apply common sense and act in their best interest. ALWAYS.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A Nation that is united and stronger that it has ever been and a true beacon of hope to the rest of the world and a flourishing State of West Virginia which has unlocked all of its potential.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Watergate and President Nixon resigning. I was 8 years old and though I did not understand the significance of it, I remember how everyone around me was very disappointed in the President and that he needed to be held accountable for his actions that under-mined the trust of the American people.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I started work as a carpenter’s helper at age 14, but the real turning point of my life was when I enlisted into the United States Naval Reserve at the age of 18.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. When you are fighting the system, Catch-22 makes you feel less lonely.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Hub McCann (Played by Robert Duvall) in the 2003 movie "Secondhand Lions". Hub McCann fought for justice with passion and defined what a hero should be.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Country Roads. Seriously, I put it on every time I turn onto the road leading to my home in Lost River.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Did I mention that I served 39 years in Navy?
Okay, how about being a father of two teenaged girls while deployed for a year in Afghanistan?

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the people’s house. The House, by design, is volatile and reactionary. That is why from its inception members were elected directly from the citizens and why the Representatives are only elected for two years at a time. It is the most accountable public office in the land. However, with the injection of soft money and dark money, the institution has lost most of its accountability to the people.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

A history of service to the public is informative, but appropriate skills depend on the individual. The world has become a considerably more complex place than the 1800's. Knowing how the fiscal cycle works will help with the learning curve, but it is not essential. That said you do need to possess critical thinking skills.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

There have always been lies, fear mongering, and misinformation, but now it travels at the speed of light. If we keep infighting among ourselves, our enemies win without firing a shot. Our world and our country have some serious challenges that must be met and until we re-learn to hang together, we will certainly hang separately. It's fine to trust in God, but until we take E Pluribus Unum to heart the future will be bleak.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

YES! It is the how the people keep the House accountable.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I agree with term limits. As demonstrated in Congress, without term limits you end up with a class of career politicians who end up losing touch with their constituency.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

John Lewis, Adam Kinzinger, and John McCain all fought for what they thought was right and stood by their convictions even when it was not advantageous for them to do so.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

COVID was hard, but the small business owners that were flexible and innovative made it through. I look forward to meeting as many different people from the 27 counties that comprise the 2nd Congressional District of West Virginia as I ramp up my campaign to be the next Representative to West Virginia.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I'm a Sailor- I'm not sure you really want me to answer this question.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

YES! I believe that 80% of us can agree on 80% of the issues, the other 20% of the issues can be dealt with by compromising and being pragmatic. As for the extreme 10% on either side of the spectrum, they are welcome to join the conversation, but they are not allowed to hold the rest of us hostage.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

We must completely rebuild our tax code. The current system is innately unjust putting all the burden on the middle/working class. Until we reform our tax code and demand a balanced budget, we cannot move forward as a nation.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Sparingly. Its primary role is to finance our Nation. Only when the constituency demands an investigation should the House act.

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 website

Wendelin’s campaign website stated the following:

“

The Issues
With the right leadership in Washington, West Virginia can enjoy better:

Healthcare
Tax reform
Federal budget management
High-speed internet and cellphone coverage
Immigration reform
Solutions to reverse climate change
Student debt solutions
Job opportunities
Solutions to the opioid crisis
Campaign finance reform and transparency
Online privacy
Term limits for the House and Senate

I believe in…
Healthcare Reform
People shouldn’t have to choose between going to the doctor or paying the rent. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet most of us are only one major accident or illness away from financial ruin. We need to control escalating costs by capping prices of medical procedures, prescriptions, and malpractice insurance.

Reversing Climate Change
Let’s keep West Virginia wild and wonderful forever. 2023 was the hottest year on record. It’s time to stop debating the obvious and come together to fix the problem. We did it in the 1940s when fascism threatened democracy and our country emerged as the strongest and richest nation in the world. We need to show that kind of global leadership again for ourselves and our children.

Pro-Choice
Mountaineers should always be free to choose. West Virginians are fiercely independent. We want to be left alone to live our lives as we see fit. Why should politicians dictate what we can and cannot do with our bodies? This includes women’s health issues and end of life decisions for the terminally ill. These are choices we should be allowed to make free from government interference.

A Balanced Budget
On time, every time or Congress doesn’t get paid. The Constitution makes Congress responsible for managing the country’s finances, but it constantly fails. The last budget passed on time was in 1997. The last balanced budget was in 2001. I propose members of Congress be required to forfeit their pay when they don’t do their job. It’s time our elected officials lived by the same rules the rest of us do.

Ending Partisan Politics
Congress needs to work together to serve the people. Being an obstructionist doesn’t get the job done. Brinksmanship with the country’s finances is irresponsible. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. There’s way too much power in the Speakership. It’s time to bring back floor amendments and get Congress back to work.

Tax Reform
No loopholes for the rich at the expense of working folks. The graduated income tax system is broken beyond repair. We all need to pay the same tax rate, whether it’s for money earned at a job or from investments. If we do this without exception, the tax burden will be dramatically reduced for all of us.

High-speed Internet and Cell Coverage
Let’s make West Virginia competitive in jobs and education. An important key to that is increasing internet and cell coverage. But our beautiful geography makes building that infrastructure expensive. If we’d counted on for-profit corporations to bring electricity to the back country in the 1900s, some of us would still be living in the dark. That’s why government and private industry must partner, just like they did to bring light to the deepest holler.

Campaign Finance Reform
Stop the selling of politicians to the highest bidder. Running for office in our current system requires big money. This forces even the most well-meaning candidates to put all their time into fundraising. It also gives special interest groups unfair influence. Citizens United was a bad ruling because it gave corporations the same rights as citizens and defined money as free speech. It’s time to reverse that ruling.

Reversing Globalization
Stop corporations from selling our personal data. Anyone who uses a computer or cell phone leaves a digital trail online. It includes our demographics, buying habits, and personal data. This information is valuable and it’s being sold, but we don’t see any of the money. Instead, our personal data is used to deliver targeted news, encourage us to buy products, and even send us dangerous misinformation. Corporations must be regulated and forced to respect our privacy.

Digital Privacy
Bring jobs home to the hollers and hills and stop putting money into the pockets of multinational corporations. West Virginia’s biggest export has always been its wealth. First, it was timber being shipped out to build the cities. Then, it was coal to fuel the nation. Now, it’s our talented citizens leaving for better opportunities. We must reverse this by bringing tech, manufacturing, and service jobs into our state.

Reducing Poverty and Homelessness
West Virginians take care of their neighbors. A wealthy nation like ours shouldn’t have citizens suffering in poverty. The Veterans Administration has the resources it needs to end veteran homelessness, but vets can’t connect with those services. I hear small business owners say they can’t find workers and I hear people the next town over say they can’t find work. We need to bring people and opportunities together. That’s what responsible government does^[2]

”

—Steven Wendelin’s campaign website (2024)^[3]

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.

Steven Wendelin campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House West Virginia District 2	Lost general	$31,924	$31,664
Grand total			$31,924	$31,664
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

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Candidate

U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Personal

Footnotes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 1, 2023
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Wendelin for Congress, “The Issues,” accessed March 10, 2024

[show]

West Virginia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Shelley Capito (R)

Jim Justice (R)

Representatives

District 1

Carol Miller (R)

District 2

Riley Moore (R)

Republican Party (4)

[bio-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 1, 2023

[quotedisclaimer-2] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[3] Wendelin for Congress, “The Issues,” accessed March 10, 2024

[1]

[2]

[3]

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Steven Wendelin

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign website

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2024 Elections

2024 Election analysis

2025 Elections

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Public Policy

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