Riley Keaton, in earlier days attending the Republican
National Convention, says "I've always loved politics"
Spencer, WV - Spencer resident Riley Keaton officially filed precandidacy paperwork for the 11th House of Delegates district on October 9th, 2015.
Keaton, 18, has been involved in state and local politics since the age of nine. "I remember taking a week of educational leave to go to the Republican National Convention as a fifth grader," he said, mentioning an article about the trip published by Spencer Newspapers in 2008.
Keaton (in green) with supporters during
the Black Walnut Festival in Spencer
The 11th District was left vacant by former Delegate Bob Ashley's appointment to the State Senate. As ordered by state law, a committee was formed by GOP leaders in Roane and Jackson to recommend appointments to the Governor. When asked why he did not seek the appointment, Keaton said a legislative session in the spring of his senior year would be very disruptive and jeopardize his ability to graduate in May.
His plans for further education are to pursue a degree in economics at Shepherd University. Keaton added, "I think it's very important for me to be accessible to the district, so I'm staying close enough to come home a few times a month." He said he plans to take off the spring semester of college in order to serve in the Legislature. "The plan, coming home during session to hold things like town halls and making my contact information available to everyone, is really geared toward being able to represent the people of my district in a way they deserve," he further explained.
With age-old issues being debated in Charleston, Keaton says he hopes to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the conversation. "Look, we are having the same fights a thousand times over. If we ever want to see our job market growing, our infrastructure being rebuilt, and our people having better lives, we need a breath of fresh air in Charleston."
Keaton, who has encouraged citizens to share concerns and issues important to them, can be reached on his cell phone at (304)531-8246 or by email at riley.keatonwv@gmail.com
Riley is the son of Tracey Weaver Keaton and Tony Keaton, both of Spencer.
He is the grandson of Bob and Dianne Weaver of Mt. Zion, Sharon and the late Ron Stewart, and Larry and the late Margaret Keaton, all of Spencer.
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