WEST VIRGINIA (Hinton News) – “You see mountains everywhere, but when you see mountains that you call home, that is special,” says 2024 West Virginia Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rashida Yost. Her campaign is built on the belief that “The success of the state depends on the happiness of its people.” Born in Virginia, Yost was raised in Singapore and has traveled extensively throughout her lifetime. At 51, she found her passion in the Mountain State. “I’ve seen the outside world,” she admits. “I proudly call West Virginia my home.”
If elected, Yost plans to focus on children and families, especially during her first week in office. “Nobody talks about us,” she says. As a proud wife and mother of four children, Yost believes that family is the tool needed for building a better future. “You build a house from the ground up,” she says. “To rebuild the economy is the same. You don’t just start building a house with boards. Instead, you start with the foundation and then build the house. Our children are the foundation for our future,” Yost adds. “For 34 years, I have dedicated myself to children and families. If we focus on the younger generation, the economy will get better,” she stresses. “It’s time that we put our children first so that they will grow and put their children first.”
As the owner of two childcare centers in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Yost believes that the area in greatest need of improvement in our state is education. “We have lost touch,” she says. “Our children are inside with games and iPads, but they need to make real memories. Memories of their hometown and their childhood. We need to focus on both education and skills, not just in West Virginia, but throughout the world,” Yost adds. “In many ways, we’ve lost touch with values, history and tradition.”
As one who admittedly does not have a political background, Yost believes that she can build a strong campaign by communicating with the people of West Virginia. “My strength is communication,” she says. “I can get people to understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.” As a little girl, Yost dreamed of becoming a newscaster but has since found a way to speak to her audience in the classroom and through her platform. “I have no side agenda. I am scared for the state, and that’s why I am running,” she said.
Through her P.U.I.P. platforms, Yost plans to Protect, Upgrade, Invest in and Promote West Virginia. “There is no state if there are no people,” she admits. “We are not providing oxygen to our people but instead only squirts of air. I am going to bend over backwards to keep people from leaving West Virginia. A governor is the same as a president or any other leader,” says Yost. “I have businesses; I work with people; I have traveled; and I have invested in my own education. I know what’s important. Who better to fix ourselves than one of us? And that’s me.”
When it comes to policies, Yost has compiled a list that she believes will benefit many West Virginians. Among them, paid daycare for all essential workers, state-paid extracurricular activities, mandating an officer on duty in all West Virginia schools, no-bank mortgage loans for families or individuals with families to enable home ownership, coal mining regenerating programs that will put coal miners back to work and a Farmer’s Golden Program that will promote cost saving opportunities in managing and selling crops. “Everyone deserves a good life,” Yost says. “I am optimistic. I don’t see problems-I see a solution.”
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected this country and the world. When asked how she felt about the handling of the pandemic and how to be better prepared for the next, Yost did not hesitate to respond. “Nobody expected this pandemic,” she said. “We don’t have to shut down everything because that only hurts people.” If another pandemic should arise, Yost believes that “We just need to reinforce precautions.”
Even with her busy schedule, candidate Yost finds the time to relax and appreciate her surroundings. “We don’t always take a moment to enjoy the landscape and our natural resources,” she says. With a smile, she admits that she loves winter because it brings with it her favorite holiday – Christmas. “I love to hear Christmas carols and I get to buy presents,” she says. “I also love winter because there are no bugs,” she adds with a laugh. When asked about her favorite West Virginia memory, Yost quickly responds, “My wedding. We got married at the courthouse in Martinsburg, and I fall in love with him more every day. God has blessed me with a lot of love in my life.”
More than a gubernatorial hopeful, Yost wants the people of West Virginia to know that she is a real person first and not a politician. When asked what people would be surprised to know about her, Yost admits “I actually have a sweet tooth. If a kid likes it, I like it. My favorite Halloween candy is a Kit Kat. If there’s a buffet, I am heading for the sweets first,” she jokingly adds. “My favorite food is spaghetti and a piece of chocolate cake.”
As one who appreciates beauty, whether it be in the form of drawing, painting or the breathtaking artwork of Mother Nature found all around us, Yost has set her sights on a new horizon. If elected, she will become the first female governor in the state of West Virginia. For more information on Rashida Yost’s 2024 campaign, please visit Yost4Governor.org. She can also be found on Facebook by searching: Yost4Governor2024.
Editor’s Note: If any local or state candidates are interested in giving an interview, please send an email to news@wvdn.com.
