“R” On the Ballot Means “Replace”
A friend and I were recently lamenting the sorry state of our country’s current economic and political affairs. I then noted to him that it was no coincidence that our current dire circumstances correspond with Republicans holding all the political power at the national level, as well as at the West Virginia state and local levels. My friend then responded, “remember, this coming election, the letter “R” behind a candidate’s name on the ballot stands for “replace” My friend’s quip about the letter R [Republican] sums up nicely our path ahead—we have a chance to change things for the better by electing Democrats in November.
At the national level, if you are frustrated with a rubberstamp Congress that never stands up to the lawless actions of a corrupt and delusional President—remember “R” is for replace. If you are opposed to a reckless and stupid war with Iran—remember “R” is for replace. If you are appalled at the destruction of the credibility of the Department of Justice and the purging of competency within our U.S. military leadership—remember “R” is for replace. If you are tired of paying $4.50 a gallon for gas and $6.50 a gallon for diesel fuel—remember “R” is for replace.
At the state level, if you are angry that the WV governor and state legislature gave Big Tech free range to build all the data centers they want, anywhere in the state they wish, and then stripped away any power of local officials to intervene—remember “R” is for replace. If you are horrified that WV officials are allowing Big Energy to construct an electricity transmission line that will scar West Virginia over a 260-mile, 18 county stretch of some of our state’s most scenic areas—remember “R” is for replace. If you are flabbergasted that the WV governor and state legislators are giving parents thousands of dollars to pull their children out of public schools and plop them in front of a computer screen at home, while leaving average pay for WV public schools teachers nearly the lowest in the country—remember “R” is for replace.
At the local level, if you are embarrassed at having had two county commissioners removed from their office for failure to perform their official duties after they collected their pay—remember “R” is for replace. If you are irate that local officials seem to be bypassing planning processes so as to enable an out-of-state company to tap our local aquifer for their commercial water bottling business—remember “R” is for replace. And if you are discouraged about voting for local offices because the roughly 18,000 registered Republicans in Jefferson County outnumber the roughly 12,000 Democrats, keep in mind there is also over 16,000 county residents registered Independent—and that “R” stands for replace.
As Americans, we have inherited the most power tool to shape our shared destiny—the right to vote. Use it! Do not squander this opportunity to send a message and more importantly change things for the better. As the saying goes, it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. So, remember “R” is for replace and vote for Democrats.
This article was originally published in the Spirit of Jefferson, October 1, 2026.
