2024 HOD Candidate Questionnaire Response
Name Anitra Hamilton
Office Sought WV House of Delegates District 81
Party Affiliation Democrat
City/Town Morgantown
Campaign Website Facebook - Delegate Anitra Hamilton, X - http://x.com/AnitraForWV
On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, effectively overturning Roe v. Wade. As a result, the WV legislature enacted a near total ban on abortion less than three months later. With no access to or Constitutional protections for abortion, what do you think abortion policy should look like in West Virginia?
I think abortion should be put on the ballot and let the residents of WV decided. Ultimately, I believe that healthcare is a right and not a privilege and that right is inclusive of women's healthcare. Reproductive healthcare should be at the discretion and protection of a woman and her physician to maintain and enhance the health of all women.
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?
I would absolutely support expanding this protection and attempted to do so last year. It is the responsibility of the state to provided guidelines to all establishments within the state to prohibit all forms of discrimination. These guidelines then further help to create a more diverse state and enables the work of inclusivity. It helps to provide protections in areas and ways that certain demographics of people have been marginalized.
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?
Many states have created these laws but many states have not actually been teaching critical race theory. Every county in this world know and understand their history except for Americans. We cannot prevent the teaching of our history simply because it is catastrophic and deadly. We must teach the reality of our nation and I do not believe that the government should be able to prevent that from happening.
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?
Again, I believe it is the responsibility of the state to provided guidelines to prohibit all forms of discrimination. I believe that sexual orientation should be a protected class, and I do not believe it infringes on religious beliefs because not everyone believes that same. We can't allow discrimination to occur on the premise of religion and therefore it should be the responsibility of the state to provide such protections.
During the 2024 legislative session, the Senate passed legislation mandating, “In God We Trust” be posted in all West Virginia schools and permitting teachers to discuss ‘creationism’ and ‘intelligent design creationism’ as part of public-school science curricula. What role do you think religion should play in the public school system, and why?
I grew up having a bible class in public school. I believe that 'creationism' should be included in the science curricula. I don't have a problem with "In God We Trust" posted in schools because it's on the money we use. I think the main concern is that there is some discussion of where this motto came from and why was it adopted in the US.
In 2023, West Virginia lawmakers passed HB2007, severely restricting access to gender affirming healthcare services for West Virginians under the age of 18. Proponents of the legislation claimed it was about keeping kids safe, and opponents argued in favor of parental rights and medical freedom. What role, if any, do you believe government should play regarding medical decisions relating to gender affirming healthcare services, and why?
I oppose any governmental rule regarding medical decisions of qualified medical doctors and children with their families. There were guidelines to the administration of these medicines and have proven to be a deterrant and prevention mechanism to youth suicide.
Though abolished in 1965, lawmakers have introduced multiple bills designed to reinstate the death penalty. What are your thoughts on capital punishment in general, and would you support or oppose the effort to reinstate the death penalty in West Virginia?
I oppose the death penalty in West Virginia. There have been too many cases overturned, the advancement of technology, corruption within our justice system for me to be an advocate of capital punishment.
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?
I am currently dealing with this very situation. Interventions and creating solutions for the unhoused is layered. There isn't a one all, be all solution for this problem and it will take community, local, state, and federal governmental action to fix this problem. All people facing housing insecurity are not the same, therefore we cannot address the problem the same. At the lowest level, I encourage community members to exercise compassion and empathy which can be difficult for some. I assure the community that this population of people deserve to be supported and when their actions are destructive or illegal, then the proper actions must be taken. But we can't paint this group with a wide brush. There are many ways to support to help bring the necessary resolutions needed.
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?
I absolutely support civilian review boards and helped to establish one in Morgantown. These boards can do so much in strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and residents. While I do believe these boards help with transparency and accountability, I also believe they can help with growth, recruitment and retention, and engagement. One effort we advocate for in Morgantown is for community policing. We discovered that most of our police lived outside of the city, and we believe that officers work differently when they live in the communities that they work in.
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?
Take an in-depth look at the sentencing for its inmates. Provide probation, parole, or supervised release for nonviolent offenders. Release those that are awaiting trial and haven't posted bond and don't pose a flight risk. Staff should be paid more and have a recruitment campaign. Put pressure on all facilities to not accept any inmates above a designated threshold of safety.
Currently, people coming out of incarceration on probation, parole, or supervised release for a felony conviction are unable to vote. When, if ever, do you think people should lose their right to vote? When, if ever, should that right be restored?
I believe that voting should be a human right at all times and we should never lose our right to vote. l I believe that those incarcerated should be able to vote by way of absentee ballot similar to the miliary. Probation, parole, and supervised release is a form of voter suppression.
Across the country, there is controversy about what is obscene. Often these focus on sexual education, content that discusses sexual orientation or gender identity, profanity, and references to sex. This controversy has led to renewed attempts to censor or restrict access to controversial material. What do you think is the proper role of the government in restrict material like this and where do you draw the line at what is obscene?
This is hard to balance. I think the government should provide censorship to pornographic and extreme materials like music with profanity and sexual scenes in movies from minors but it should be the role of parents to exercise discretion with instruction and prevention on obscenities. It is a very thin line but I don't think the government holds the responsibility for all of it.