Joseph Earley

Joseph Earley (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on May 14, 2024.

Earley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Joseph Earley served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 2002. Earley earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 2007 and a graduate degree from Marshall University in 2016. Earley's career experience includes working as an information technology professional.^[1]

Elections

2024

West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Republican primary)

West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Riley Moore defeated Steven Wendelin in the general election for U.S. House West Virginia District 2 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Riley Moore (R)	70.8	268,190
	Steven Wendelin (D)	29.2	110,775

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 378,965
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Steven Wendelin advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2 on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steven Wendelin	100.0	39,832

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,832
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Riley Moore defeated Joseph Earley, Chris Walker, Dennis Cain, and Alexander Gaaserud in the Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2 on May 14, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Riley Moore	45.0	47,033
	Joseph Earley	20.3	21,176
	Chris Walker	14.5	15,203
	Dennis Cain	13.0	13,625
	Alexander Gaaserud	7.1	7,453

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 104,490
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Heather Rosen-Turley (R)
Rj Smith (R)

Endorsements

Earley received the following endorsements.

Pledges

Earley signed the following pledges.

Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Americans for Tax Reform

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Joseph Earley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Earley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a Son of West Virginia, I’m a fighter with a strong desire to continue to serve my country as a patriot and I care deeply about West Virginia and our Nation. Born in Montgomery, WV, I attended public school in Kanawha County, graduating from DuPont High School in 1978. I come from a lineage of tradesmen, steel workers, railway workers, coal miners, and military servicemen. I developed a strong work ethic at an early age and put that to good use working part-time while attending DuPont High School. I entered the adult workforce as a tradesman of drafting and surveying at the age of 17 years old and worked on survey crews for several Charleston, West Virginia based engineering firms. I entered the United States Army as an Armor Crewman in 1982 and upon retiring from military service as First Sergeant in January 2002, I returned home to West Virginia as a federal contractor, leading a Department of Defense (DOD) Training Program for Weapons of Mass Destruction to Military and Civilian First Responders, Biometric Experimentation and Cybersecurity programs. I hold a Master of Science degree in Technology Management, with emphasis in Information Security, from Marshall University and a BS in Occupational Training and Development from the University of Louisville. I actively support Veteran causes as of Chairman of the newly founded Harrison County Veterans Council, as an organizational member of the Marion County Veterans Council.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

America First Constitutional Conservative that will represent the West Virginia 2nd District applying straightforward principled leadership .
Pursue and support legislation that leveraged West Virginia energy resources and the technology workforce to further economic prosperity of WV-02
Preserve our constitutional rights as the founders intended.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Energy Independence, Border Security, Legal Immigration, National Security and Defense, US Technology Protections.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ronald Reagan - humble and effective leader that genuinely cared for humanity.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Vietnam War, 6-13 years old

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Earley's campaign website stated the following:

“

Term Limits For Congress
Joe Earley is not a career politician or a former lobbyist unlike his opponent. Joe is the only candidate to sign the Term Limits pledge, because he embraces the vision of our founding fathers of a citizen’s legislature. Nothing will change in Washington if we don’t end the stranglehold of career politicians who always put their power ahead of the people. As our next Congressman, Joe Earley will co-sponsor Rep. Ralph Norman’s term limits legislation.

Economic Prosperity NOT Inflation
West Virginia needs jobs! As our next Congressman, Joe Earley will fight for economic prosperity by rolling back taxes and regulations that are job killers. Moreover, he will fully support our energy industry that has been the lifeblood of our state. We can count on Joe to support small business, revive our economy, grow jobs, and reverse bad Biden policy.

Moreover, Joe knows how the printing of money by the federal government is causing inflation and jeopardizing the fiscal stability of our nation. He is the only candidate to oppose the bad debt ceiling plan that put our nation another $4 trillion in debt. Joe will fight for a balanced budget, stop earmarking of funds, end picking winners and losers by the federal government, and restore American energy independence.

Pro-Life
Joe Earley strongly believes that all life is precious. As our next Congressman, he will work to stop the devaluing of the gift of life, defund abortion providers, and support adoption. You can count on Joe Earley to stand against abortion and protect the unborn at every stage of life.

Empower Parents and Educate Next Generation
As our next Congressman, Joe Earley will work to empower parents in the classroom and get politics out of the curriculum. Joe will stop the radicalization and the gender confusion happening in our schools. As a veteran, Joe has the fortitude to take on the teacher’s union that is consumed by implementing a dangerous left-wing agenda. He supports Senate Bill S.3218: Parents’ Bill of Rights Act 2021 and will co-sponsor H.R. 5 – Parents Bill of Rights Act.

Election Integrity
As our next Congressman, Joe Earley will work to restore people’s faith in our electoral system. He is committed to serving on the Election Integrity Caucus when elected to Congress.

National Sovereignty
As a veteran, Joe Earley has put his life on the line to protect our freedoms and our country and he understands that peace comes from strength. As our next Congressman, he will support our military and national defense. He will NOT allow our nation to be vulnerable to foreign threats such as China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia.

Preserve ALL of Our Constitutional Rights
As a veteran, Joe Earley is a strong protector and fervent defender of Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He will fight to preserve all of our Constitution rights whether it is taking on big tech or liberal special interest groups that want to trample our First and Second amendment rights.

Unlike the woke culture, he doesn’t believe that the Constitution is a living document that can metamorphosed. The Constitution is a timeless and immutable document that aligns with Natural Law and Objective Truth. Joe Earley believes that our schools must emphasize American History and teach the importance of the United States Constitution and our constitutional rights in the classroom.

Energy Independence
As a veteran, Joe Earley has the backbone to take on the woke environmentalist in DC who oppose fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil). He will work to make our country energy independent once again by leveraging America’s resources and cutting out foreign oil. West Virginia can count on Joe.

End Illegal Immigration
Our country is being invaded via the southern border. Like you, Joe Earley is outraged by President Biden’s failure to secure our borders. As our next Congressman, Joe Earley will stop the kicking the can down the road on the issue of illegal immigration. He will support funding building the wall, ending the catch and release program, funding ICE and so much more.

As a veteran, we can count on Joe to protect our nation provide for border security.

2nd Amendment
Second Amendment: This is the long pole in the tent regarding safeguarding our freedoms. As a life-long gun owner and 2nd Amendment practitioner, I stand firmly in protecting the Second Amendment and the right to self-defense, while also recognizing the importance of an armed citizenry for personal safety and deterrence. I advocate for National Reciprocity, ensuring law-abiding citizens can carry firearms across state lines without the weighted boot of government pressing on our God-given right to self-defense. Additionally, I believe in reevaluating the necessity and effectiveness of [abolishing] the ATF and am a staunch advocate for rescinding the 1934 National Firearms Act in its totality.

I stand firmly on these principles in support of the Second Amendment.
Defend the Second Amendment: As a strong advocate of individual freedoms, I believe in upholding and protecting the constitutional right of all Americans to bear arms, ensuring their ability to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property.

Preserve Self-Defense Rights: It is crucial to safeguard the fundamental right of self-defense. I will fight against any attempts to infringe upon this right, ensuring that law-abiding citizens have the means to protect themselves and their families.

Oppose Gun Control Measures: I firmly stand against any legislation that seeks to restrict or limit law-abiding citizens' access to firearms. I will actively oppose any proposed gun control measures, steadfastly defending the rights of armed Americans.

Support National Reciprocity: I will work tirelessly to establish concealed carry reciprocity across state lines, allowing law-abiding individuals to carry their firearms for self-defense purposes, regardless of the state they are in.

Promote Responsible Gun Ownership: Education and training are vital to responsible gun ownership. I will champion initiatives that promote firearm safety in the public education space, while encouraging all gun owners to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to handle firearms safely and responsibly.

Stand Against Firearms Confiscation: I am staunchly opposed to any attempts to confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens. I will vigorously oppose any such measures, fighting to preserve the rights of individuals to possess and use firearms for lawful purposes.

Protect American Gun Ownership Tradition: The right to bear arms is deeply rooted in our nation's history and traditions. I will honor this legacy by standing firm in my support for the Second Amendment, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same freedoms and protections that have defined our great nation.

Earley Plan To Stop Illegal Immigration

Building The Wall
No federal government payouts to illegal immigrants,
End the catch and release program that allows criminal illegal immigrants back on to our streets,
Increasing funding for ICE,
End birthright citizenship for babies born to parents who are illegally in the United States,
End chain migration for non-immediate family members,
Hold back federal funding for sanctuary states and cities,
End the abuse of asylum claims,
Prohibit taxpayer dollars from paying for attorneys for illegal immigrants,
End the visa lottery system.
Prohibit illegal aliens from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits such as health care, welfare and housing,
Increasing penalties on businesses that purposely hire illegal aliens,
Requiring mandatory employer verification,
Re-evaluate criteria for refugee status,
Strengthen background checks on visas,
Withhold certain federal funds for states that allow illegal immigrants to get drivers' licenses,
End visa overstays,
Increase penalties for human trafficking,
Increase funds for courts dealing with deportation disputes, and deny false asylum claims access to our courts, and
Enact merit-based immigration reform to expedite naturalization process.
5 Year moratorium on NEW immigration allowing us to find, deport, and sort out current backlog of applications and illegal entries.^[2]

”

—Joseph Earley’s campaign website (2024)^[3]

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Joseph Earley campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House West Virginia District 2	Lost primary	$211,706	$212,733
Grand total			$211,706	$212,733
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 15, 2023
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Earley for Congress, “Issues,” accessed March 10, 2024

[show]

West Virginia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Shelley Capito (R)

Jim Justice (R)

Representatives

District 1

Carol Miller (R)

District 2

Riley Moore (R)

Republican Party (4)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 15, 2023

[quotedisclaimer-2] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[3] Earley for Congress, “Issues,” accessed March 10, 2024

[1]

[2]

[3]

	v • e State of West Virginia Charleston (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Joseph Earley

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 2

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Pledges

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign website

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION