I am Running for State House in 2026 (Actually. Finally.)

Since I was a young teenager, I have openly expressed my desire to run for political office as a means of improving the world. Due to struggles with anxiety, depression, and financial difficulties over the years many of these runs never occurred. But in the background of life I've continued to develop policies for a better economy, keeping and improving our state's Wild and Wonderful environment, and how to appropriately approach these policies within the context of a government budget.

A few weeks ago my voter registration was updated to allow me to seek the Democratic nomination for state House in district 51 in 2026. Despite this, I will always note my intention is to serve as an effective independent without caucusing with either major political party due to the expectation of caucus members to vote in line with party leadership. I am releasing this post, alongside a press release given to local media stations following approval as an official pre-candidate for State House from the WV secretary of state. Lopez4Change will also be publishing a website, that I have designed personally, very shortly. Link

It is time for the people of Fayette County and West Virginia as a whole to have a voice in our legislature who isn't beholden to their party. Someone to stand-up to critic and criticize the policies of both parties for locking the people into our chains of poverty. I hope that in the coming year you, the people of Fayette County, will give me the opportunity to be that voice for us all.

And as a member of the working class, I can do something that the poor and workers do very well, work alongside co-workers and bosses that we don't agree with. While fighting to loosen our chains, fighting to build an economy for the rural, the poor, and the working class, work will still get completed. The system will be disrupted, and will be criticized; I will not join the Republican Party caucus nor the Democratic Party caucus, but I will put in the work to amend legislation, introduce legislation, and pass legislation.

Fayette County is home to beautiful state parks & national park, and wonderful working class folk. I am asking you to give me the opportunity to help us build a more fair economy, protect our wild & wonderful environment and culture, and make sure the legislature understands the dangers of extremes when it comes to budgeting. 

NOTES:

• As someone who has posted political content for some time, there is content available across my social media that no longer reflects my current views accurately or is an over-simplification. Some of these are relatively recent changes in views. My underlying values don't change, I am simply more educated and approach the issues from a different perspective now. If this occurs while serving in office, I will swiftly notify the public with an explanation as to why my views on a particular topic has changed. Sometimes views shift slowly and so I don't recognize the shift has been made until viewing old content.
• I welcome the public to ask about, and criticize my statements and actions as they view necessary and hope to respond when possible.
• I ran for Oak Hill City Council in 2019, fairing poorly in the results due to a lack of campaigning due to a variety of personal factors, including a deep social anxiety.
• I am not related to any prominent people from the area with the last name Lopez (nor any other prominent individual in the area nor those from other areas).
• I was a member of University Student Government, unfortunately the time I served was a time characterized by lack of student involvement due to other factors, but we did promote a Mental Health First Aid class, and took actions to navigate the student experience both through campus shutdown and after.
• I have not completed my degree, the economy and costs of University make such a commitment more and more difficult, impractical, and less financially worthy for more and more people. I am very close to completion of my degree, and graduated from High School with Honors. I hope to make the economics and costs better for all West Virginians.
• My Dad has only recently passed his citizenship test, this was his first attempt at the test proper as a previous attempt at citizenship was unsuccessful due to a lazy attorney failing to notify him of a required appointment. This is an expensive and long process; my Dad has lived in this country since he was a very young child, and both his parents alongside most of his siblings have previously become citizens. Some of my uncles have also served in the military.
• I own pets:
• A pet dog named Shaggy that doesn't understand aggressively barking and running up to any living creature is intimidating; I promise he just wants belly rubs and to play (this may include play biting). He does have separation anxiety, and tends to get irritated skin and small cuts on his belly from scratching or everyday items around the house.
• A pet snake named Juliette, she is sweet and beautiful. She is a Ball Python also known as a Royal Python and her morph is called Piebald or Pied for short. She is very healthy, though I do get anxious about my care on occasion, despite doing things correctly.
• I care for a Leopard Gecko named Lancer, he is an incredibly picky eater and has lost some toes and toenails due to poor shedding. He isn't well socialized though does tolerate being held (sometimes). I am working to improve his quality of life and would consider him more of a foster situation for my girlfriend's family.
• Many of my Family Members and Friends have political views that differ from my own, and do on occasion post provocative political content. My continued love for, and online/in-person connection to these individuals should not be taken as support, nor should this statement be taken to mean lack of support for their comments, posts, and otherwise of a political nature. If you are curious about my position refer to earlier statements, or ask me as is possible.