LOST RIVER, WV – Steven Wendelin, a Bronze Star recipient, combat veteran, former Delta Force Commander, today officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress, running as an independent to represent West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. Wendelin, a lifelong West Virginian, launched his campaign with a pledge to “fight for families, not funders,” challenging the entrenched two-party system that has left the state’s working families behind.
“Right now, Washington and Charleston are controlled by big money donors and corrupt politicians,” said Wendelin. “It’s time to take back our freedom.” Wendelin said, “It’s time to send someone to Washington who knows how to fight for us, who understands the values of freedom, community, and service that define us as West Virginians.”
Wendelin’s campaign is focusing on economic security for working families. He’s proposing policies that support small businesses, protect pensions, and ensure fair wages. He is also committed to improving access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, and tackling the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across the state.
“For too long, I’ve seen politicians make promises they don’t keep,” Wendelin remarked. “They take money from the billionaires and corporate lobbyists, then vote against the interests of the people they’re supposed to represent. I’m not taking a dime of corporate PAC money. My campaign is funded by people, not corporations. I’ll answer to you, and only you.”
Wendelin grew up in a small town in southern West Virginia and comes from a long line of coal miners, farmers, and veterans. He is a decorated combat veteran who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military career spans over two decades and includes service in the U.S. Army Special Forces, including as a commander in the elite Delta Force. After retiring from the military, Wendelin returned to West Virginia, where he has been a vocal advocate for veterans and working families. He founded a non-profit organization that helps veterans transition back to civilian life, providing job training, mental health support, and community engagement opportunities.
“This campaign is about the future of West Virginia,” Wendelin said. “It’s about whether we want to continue down this path of division and decline, or if we want to come together and build a better future for our children. I believe in the people of this state. I believe we can create a West Virginia where our kids don’t have to leave to find a good-paying job, where our seniors can retire with dignity, and where our communities are strong and vibrant.”
Wendelin’s campaign is built on the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability. He has pledged to hold regular town halls across the district and to be accessible to his constituents. He is also a strong supporter of campaign finance reform, calling for an end to the influence of dark money in politics.
“I’m not a politician,” Wendelin concluded. “I’m a soldier, a father, and a West Virginian. I’m running for Congress because I believe it’s time to take back our freedom from the billionaires and corrupt politicians who have hijacked our democracy. It’s time to put people first. It’s time for a new generation of leadership in Washington. I’m ready to fight for you. I’m ready to serve you. And together, we will win.”
