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Brandon Steele (born July 12, 1981) is an American politician who has served as a Delegate from the 29th District to the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2018. He is a Republican.

Early life, education, and career

Steele was born in Beckley, West Virginia to Larry and Donna Steele. He received a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice at Mountain State University in 2004 and his Juris Doctor at Marquette University in 2013. In 2015, he was employed as a private attorney-at-law. In 2016, he was employed as a prosecuting attorney for Raleigh County. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.

Tenure and political positions

Abortion

In July 2022, Steele attempted to pass a ban on all abortions, without exception for rape, incest, or the health or life of the mother, in the House of Delegates, though the ban ultimately did not pass. He opposed amendments on the proposed ban that would have allowed a narrow exception for rape or incest.

Coronavirus

In March 2021, Steele tested positive for COVID-19. Steele experienced minor symptoms and took a leave of absence from the House of Delegates, though refused to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, Steele was the lead sponsor of a bill that would provide a greater exemption from vaccine mandates for private and parochial schools and loosen other requirements for compulsory vaccination.

Criminal code

Steele led the effort to rewrite and modernize the West Virginia criminal code, which many believed to be outdated and ineffective. He was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2017, which would rewrite the code.

Gun control

Steele was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2694, which prevented state police from complying with federal authorities on matters related to gun control. Steele framed the bill as essential to the Second Amendment, stating, "ither you like gun rights or you don't." The bill was later amended by the West Virginia State Senate to specifically inhibit the ability of local law enforcement from complying with gun control executive orders issued by Joe Biden. Steele had an "A+" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund as of 2020 and received their endorsement in his campaign. He also had a 93% rating from the West Virginia Citizen's Defense League, a local gun rights organization, as of 2018.

Worker's rights

Steele voted for Senate Bill 11, a bill that would make it more difficult for employees to strike. He had a 0% rating from the West Virginia AFL–CIO as of 2020.

Elections

2018

In his first primary, Steele defeated fellow Republican Zachary Meador by nearly a 2–1 margin, securing 66.26% of the vote to receive his party's nomination.

In the general election, Steele defeated incumbent Democrat Rick Moye with 52.34% of the vote.

2020

In his first primary since defeating the incumbent Moye, Steele ran unopposed.

Steele's second general election was significantly less competitive, as Steele defeated Democrat Xavier Oglesby with 77.26% of the vote.

Committee assignments

• Government Organization (Chair)
• House Rules
• Small Business and Economic Development

Personal life

Steele is married to Brianne Steele and has five children. He is a Protestant.

References

1. ^ "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Steele". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
2. ^ "Brandon Steele's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
3. "Brandon Steele". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
4. Weisman, Jonathan; Glueck, Katie (August 5, 2022). "Republicans Begin Adjusting to a Fierce Abortion Backlash". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
5. Karbal, Ian (August 3, 2022). "Inside the stalled GOP efforts to change WV abortion law". Mountain State Spotlight. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
6. Mistich, Dave. "West Virginia House Gov. Org. Chair Brandon Steele Tests Positive For Coronavirus". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
7. Andrew, Scottie. "The Covid-19 Vaccines are Highly Effective, and the Chance of an Adverse Reaction is Rare". CNN. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
8. "House Bill 2271" (PDF). West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
9. "Why Turn Our Back on Medical Advancement?". The Montgomery Herald. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
10. ^ "Member Profiles: Delegate Steele". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
11. Pierson, Lacie. "House Adopts Bill Rewriting WV's Criminal Code". The Herald Dispatch. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
12. Kabler, Phil. "Senate Judiciary Amendment Dramatically Changes Bill Limiting Enforcement of Gun Laws". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
13. Beck, Erin. "Session is Over. Here's What Passed, What Didn't". The Register-Herald. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
14. "NRA-PVF | Grades | West Virginia". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
15. Adams, Steven Allen. "W.Va. Senate sends message: Public worker strikes illegal". The Times Leader. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
16. "2018 Primary Election: House of Delegates 29th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
17. "2018 General Election: House of Delegates 29th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
18. "2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 29th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
19. "2020 General Election: House of Delegates 29th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved July 8, 2021.

• 1981 births
• Living people
• Republican Party members of the West Virginia House of Delegates
• American lawyers
• Marquette University alumni
• Mountain State University alumni
• 21st-century members of the West Virginia Legislature