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Geoff Foster (politician)

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American politician (born 1986)

Geoff Foster
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 15th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 1, 2014
Personal details
BornGeoffrey 'Geoff' Bruce Foster
(1986-05-10) May 10, 1986 (age 38)
Charleston, West Virginia
Political partyRepublican
EducationBS in psychology, University of Kentucky

Geoffrey 'Geoff' Bruce Foster (born May 10, 1986) is an American politician who has served as the Delegate from the 15th District to the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2014. Foster has chaired the state's legislative Freedom Caucus since its formation in September 2023.

Early life, education, and career

Foster was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Kentucky. He is the owner of a construction supply company.

Elections

2014

In his first primary election, Foster defeated fellow Republican Duke Jordan with 61.34% of the vote to win his party's nomination.

In the general, Foster did not face a Democrat and defeated Independent Christian Watts with 79.36% of the vote.

2016

In his second primary, Foster won the nomination unopposed.

In the general, he defeated Democrat Jeffery Smith with 65.24% of the vote.

2018

In the primary, Foster was opposed by fellow Republican Bryan Hastings, whom he defeated with 37.32% of the vote.

In the general, Foster received 64.13% of the vote to defeat Democrat Casey Wade Horton and unaffiliated candidate Theresa Jackson.

2020

In his 2020 primary, Foster ran unopposed.

In the general election, Foster defeated Democrat Theresa Jackson and Libertarian Michael Young with 62.45% of the vote.

Tenure

Committee assignments

  • Government Organization (Vice Chair)
  • House Rules
  • Political Subdivisions
  • Workforce Development

Candidate ratings

As of 2019, Foster has a 100% lifetime rating from West Virginians for Life, a local anti-abortion group.

In 2018, Foster received an 88% rating from the West Virginia chapter of the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Also in 2018, Foster received an 89% rating from the American Conservative Union.

In 2018 and 2020 respectively, Foster received 0% ratings from the Sierra Club and the AFL–CIO.

COVID-19 pandemic

Foster voted for House Bill 335, which makes it more difficult for businesses to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for their workers. The law made it easier for workers to use medical or religious exemptions to evade such mandates.

Healthcare

Foster was one of only four West Virginia legislators to vote against House Bill 4543, which capped the monthly copay for insulin at $100. Only three other Republican Delegates opposed the bill.

Transgender rights

Foster voted for Senate Bill 341, a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on the team that aligns with their gender identity.

Water Standards

Foster was supported a bill that would weaken certain water quality standards. Although the bill updates some standards, it raises the allowable concentrations of several chemicals, including some that are considered to be carcinogenic. The bill would also cede the power of West Virginia legislative committees to review changes to regulatory health criteria. The bill was criticized by local environmental groups as dangerous and irresponsible.

Worker's rights

Foster voted for SB 11, a bill that would make it more difficult for employees to strike.

Foster was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2009, which would prevent the direct collection of dues for labor unions representing public employees. Labor unions argued that direct collection of dues from paychecks was the most efficient means of raising revenue and eliminating that would result in significant cuts for the union. The law was initially suspended by lower courts but allowed by the West Virginia Supreme Court.

Personal life

Foster is a Christian.

References

  1. Yohe, Randy (September 25, 2023). "W.Va. Legislative 'Freedom Caucus' Pushes Far Right Agenda". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Geoff Foster's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  3. "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Foster". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  4. "2014 Primary Election of West Virginia". West Virginia Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  5. "2014 General Election of West Virginia". West Virginia Board of Elections. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  6. "2016 Primary Election of West Virginia". West Virginia Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  7. "2016 General Election of West Virginia". West Virginia Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  8. "2018 Primary Election: House of Delegates 15th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  9. "2018 General Election: House of Delegates 15th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  10. "2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 15th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  11. "2020 General Election: House of Delegates 15th District". Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  12. "Member Profiles: Delegate Foster". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  13. Ridenour, Cory. "West Virginia Governor Approves Medical and Religious Exemptions From COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates". National Law Review. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  14. "House Bill 4543". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  15. Allen, Emily (March 6, 2020). "W.Va. Senate Passes Bill To Cap Insulin Copays At $100 Monthly". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  16. Adams, Steven Allen. "Bill blocking transgender students from certain sports passes West Virginia House". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  17. Tony, Mike (December 9, 2021). "State Lawmaking Panel APproves Ceding Water Pollution Permit Limit Oversight, Weakening Some Water Quality Standards". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  18. "Protect Public Health, Don't Weaken Water Standards" (PDF). West Virginia River. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  19. Adams, Steven Allen. "W.Va. Senate sends message: Public worker strikes illegal". The Times Leader. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  20. Serre, Jared (June 14, 2021). "Kanawha Judge Grants Unions' Injunction in Fight Over Collecting Dues". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  21. McElhinny, Brad (October 26, 2021). "Justices Consider New Law Prohibiting Collection of Union Dues for Public Employees". West Virginia Metro News. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  22. "House Bill 200". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  23. Harvey, Matt (November 22, 2021). "West Virginia Justices Hand Unions Defeat in Union Dues Case". WV News. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
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