Name Robyn Kincaid Welch
Office Sought House of Delegates
Party Affiliation Democrat
District 51
City/Town Victor
Campaign Website Facebook: Robyn For All
The US Supreme Court will decide Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization this summer, which some have speculated may overturn Roe v. Wade. If there were no Constitutional protections for abortion, what do you think West Virginia's abortion policies should be?
Abortion is and should be an absoloute, non-negotiable right.
Several West Virginia municipalities have passed ordinances that expand the definition of racial discrimination to include discriminating against traditional or natural hair textures and styles. Would you support expanding this protection statewide? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Tucked away in the hairstyles of women of color are entire generations of ethnic bias.
Many states have created laws that seek to limit the teaching of "divisive concepts" or "critical race theory". West Virginia narrowly missed passing a similar law during the 2022 Legislative Session. What is the value or harm in teaching these topics and what role should the legislature play in determining this curriculum?
There is no harm in teaching history. History is hard and often a matter of brutal realities. "Critical Race Theory" is nothing but the latest bette noir used by the right-wing to gin up fear in its easily terrified base. The Legislature should leave the profession of teaching to those who actually know how to do it.
Currently there is no statewide law protecting people in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations based on their sexuality or gender identity. Proponents claim these protections are necessary for ongoing discrimination by the LGBTQ community. Opponents claim that such protections infringe upon religious beliefs. What do you believe and would you support or oppose a statewide law?
As the first openly trans woman to ever seek a seat in the West Virginia Legislature, I emphatically insist that every marginalized community, including my own, should have all the rights that have traditionally inured to white, cis, hetero males, the gold standard, if you will, for civil liberties. I will add that we must protect the rights of our trans and non-binary children without compromise. West Virginia has more trans kids than any other state in the Union and they deserve nothing short of the best, most compassionate care.
Recently a revival was held at schools in Cabell and Wayne counties. The Legislature has, in recent years, passed laws to allow teaching the Bible in public schools and allowing for religious drug-prevention programs to operate in schools. What do you think the role of religion in public schools should be and why?
I once saw a bumper sticker that read, "Don't pray in our schools and we won't think in your churches." Anyone who thinks there isn't already prayer in schools has never seen an ill-prepared high school freshman before an Algebra test. Moreover, religion has no role in public schools. That's what churches are for.
The West Virginia Senate recently unanimously adopted a resolution stating that West Virginia is prepared to welcome Ukrainian refugees. Critics have pointed out that the Legislature has recently considered legislation what would make things more difficult for refugees and immigrants to settle in West Virginia. Should West Virginia welcome refugees and immigrants? If no, why not? If yes, what can the state do to support these communities?
If immigrants and refugees want to come to West Virginia, we should welcome them with open arms. It's not like any non-indigenous West Virginian doesn't have some ancestor who wasn't an immigrant at some point.
There is increasing tension with communities of people who are unhoused or face housing insecurity. Police breakups of encampments are common, and municipalities have shown growing opposition to low-barrier housing and recovery housing. How would you address community concerns while protecting the rights of unhoused people?
Let's face the fact: lack of housing is a choice we make as a culture, not an immutable law of nature. We first need to recognize housing as a human right and prioritize it accordingly. The rights of the unhoused are the same as the rights of any other human group. We must insure that their rights are respect every bit as much as the rights of, say, a West Virginia billionaire.
Police violence has been in the forefront of national headlines for several years. Some propose more civilian oversight of law enforcement through civilian review boards that could review incidents and policies. Others view these boards as "anti-police" and point out that civilians are ill-equipped to understand the nature of police work. Do you support the use of civilian review boards? What other steps, if any, should the state take to provide transparency and accountability for police?
While I support civilian review boards, I think the idea of a police prosecution office entirely separate and apart from the rest of the law enforcement apparatus would have a much more deterrent effect.
Jails in West Virginia are above capacity and are bankrupting some counties. Prisons are understaffed, making them dangerous for residents and staff alike. What steps, if any, should West Virginia take to address these issues?
We can start by reducing the categories of imprisonable "crimes." We can also divert non-violent offenders away from the clutches of the Prison-Industrial Complex and keep at risk children out of the School-to-Prison Pipleline.
Currently, people who are incarcerated or on probation and parole for a felony conviction are unable to vote. The West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would have expanded that right to people who are on probation and parole. When, if ever do you think people should lose their right to vote? When, if ever should that right be restored?
Suffrage should never be rescinded save for violent felons during the pendency of incarceration, at most. The fact is, it is easier for a convicted felon to have their 2nd Amendment gun rights restored than to get their right to vote returned.