During my eight years serving in the West Virginia Legislature, I had the opportunity to work alongside Rollan Roberts and observe his approach to public service firsthand.
In a political environment where positions can shift depending on the issue or the moment, one thing about Rollan has remained consistent: he has governed the same way he campaigned.
In a recent conversation, Roberts reiterated that his foundation has not changed.
“My relationship with God comes first, and right behind that is my family,” Roberts said. “Everything else, including public service, comes after that.”
From the beginning of his time in office, Roberts made it clear that his priorities would center on conservative values, economic development, and representing the interests of southern West Virginia. In my experience serving with him, that is exactly what he has done.
On policy, Roberts has been a reliable vote for what most would recognize as traditional conservative principles. Whether the issue involved protecting life, defending Second Amendment rights, or supporting religious liberty, there was never much question about where he stood. More importantly, those positions did not appear to change based on political pressure or shifting public sentiment.
“I don’t separate my values from my work,” Roberts said. “I represent the people and the principles that make West Virginia strong.”
At the same time, his focus has not been limited to social issues. I personally observed his efforts to bring economic opportunities to our region, which has long faced structural challenges. Southern West Virginia does not need empty promises—it needs jobs, investment, and infrastructure that can support long-term growth.
Roberts pointed to recent developments as evidence of that effort.
“We’re focused on creating real opportunities,” he said. “Good jobs, strong communities, and a future people can believe in right here in southern West Virginia.”
One of the most important accomplishments during my time in the Legislature, at least for our area, was securing funding for the Beckley Veterans Nursing Home. For years prior, the project existed without a viable funding source. In 2016, the Legislature authorized the sale of fireworks, with the excise tax designated to support the nursing home, but by the time I took office in 2019, only a little more than $2 million had been raised. To unlock the necessary federal matching funds and move the project forward, the state needed to reach roughly $15 million. During the 2021 session, Delegate Jeff Pack and I led the effort in the House to include that funding in the budget, while Roberts led the charge in the Senate. Without his work pressing Senate leadership on the issue, the funding necessary to begin the project would not have come together. At a time when the potential closure or sale of Pinecrest/Jackie Withrow Hospital underscored the need for expanded care options in our region, this was a critical investment. It was not a partisan issue and did not generate headlines, but rather a coordinated effort by the local delegation across both chambers to deliver for southern West Virginia’s veterans. As construction costs have increased, Roberts has continued to advocate for keeping the project funded and moving forward.
That includes supporting workforce initiatives, infrastructure funding, and economic development projects aimed at creating real employment opportunities. While no single legislator can transform a regional economy alone, it is fair to say that Roberts has been engaged in that effort in a meaningful way.
“We’re bringing resources back home and putting them to work,” Roberts said. “That’s what people expect from their elected officials.”
What stands out most, however, is not any single vote or project—it is consistency. Voters often say they want elected officials who will do what they said they would do when they first ran for office. In Roberts’ case, I believe that is a fair description.
People can agree or disagree with his positions. That is part of the process. But from my vantage point as someone who served with him, there has been a clear alignment between what he says, what he believes, and how he votes.
In today’s political climate, that kind of consistency is not always a given.
