A Q&A with Robert Dobkin: ‘Freedom is not just our heritage’
Robert “Bob” Dobkin wants to be a part of a government that accelerates progress instead of slowing it, he wants to be neighbor and not a politician, and he wants to be a lawmaker who works with his colleagues to improve and diversify the state’s economy until it’s diversified and improved. That’s why he’s running; to be part of the solution like his predecessor – Sen. Charles Clements – was during his 10 years of service in the state Senate. Dobkin also hopes to be part of the solution when it comes to Raylee’s Law, a piece of legislation doomed by partisan politics in the final hours of the Legislature’s regular session. Composed and proposed in honor of Raylee Browning, an 8-year-old girl who died in 2018 of severe abuse and neglect after teachers sounded alarms. The child was pulled from school, but “Raylee’s Law” would have kept her in the classroom for two weeks while any abuse allegations were investigated. Instead, Raylee was beaten, starved and kept in poor living conditions, and she passed away one day after Christmas in 2018 from sepsis. “This will be the first issue I wish to address,” Dobkin pledges below. “Because no child should ever slip through the cracks when help is needed most.” With Dobkin, it’s all about solutions. Dobkin has been traveling the 2nd Senatorial District for more than a month in an effort to meet as many local officials as possible. What convinced you to run for the seat representing the 2nd District? All of us agree, we can do better—and I’m ready to lead that effort. I believe it’s time for a West Virginia that works — for everyone. For too long, our state has struggled to reach its potential. We’ve seen too many young people leave in search of opportunity, too many communities facing economic uncertainty, and too many policies that slow progress rather than accelerate it. We need to focus on the issues that will make West Virginia a great place to live, work, and raise a family. What is the best piece of campaign advice you’ve received from an elected official? It’s short and simple, yet so profound: Be yourself—be a neighbor, not a politician. Simple. Direct. Real. Not only do he and his wife work in West Virginia, but they are tourists, too, and they adore their trips to Tucker County. Except for where you live in the 2nd Senatorial District, where is your favorite area of West Virginia to visit? Tucker County. My family loves to spend time in nature—it’s where we feel closest to God. And we love adventure—on the water, on the trail, on the slopes, or sleeping under the Milky Way. We visit Blackwater and Canaan Valley state parks often in all four seasons. Sometimes we stay at the lodge or rent a cabin. But the best times are sleeping in the bed of the truck on a forest road! Backpacking Dolly Sods Wilderness is also a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime. Tucker County is our playground away from home. Bob really enjoys the outdoors, and he enjoys taking trips with his son, Ben, so he, too, can understand the importance of environmental preservation. What is your favorite piece of West Virginia history? Our state motto: Montani Semper Liberi, “Mountaineers are always free,” was actually suggested by Joseph H. Diss Debar of Doddridge County (current day Second Senatorial District) and adopted by the very first West Virginia legislature. That’s more than a motto. It’s who we are. It speaks to the grit, independence, and self-reliance of the people of West Virginia. It reflects generations who carved out a life in these mountains, who stood strong in the face of hardship, and who refused to be controlled by distant powers. But here’s the truth we must never forget: freedom doesn’t just exist on its own. Our Founders understood that. That’s why the United States Constitution doesn’t just celebrate liberty—it secures it. It creates a system of checks and balances, limits government power, and guarantees our rights—freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, due process under the law. In other words, if our state motto tells us who we are, the Constitution tells us how we stay that way. And today, that responsibility falls to us—all of us. Because freedom is not self- sustaining. It requires vigilance. It requires leadership. It requires citizens who are willing to stand up, speak out, and hold government accountable. I believe in a West Virginia—and United States of America—where government respects the people—the government’s only source of power. Where our rights are protected, not chipped away. Where we honor both the spirit of “Mountaineers are always free” and the structure that keeps us free. Because if we lose either one—the spirit or the structure—we risk losing both. We must stand together, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as free people—committed to preserving liberty for the next generation. Because in these mountains, and in this country, freedom is not just our heritage. It is our responsibility. Bob and Amy have been married for ()() years, and they appreciate how several cities in the Northern Panhandle are working to preserve their history. What is the first issue you wish to address if elected to the state Senate? My priorities are economic development, rebuilding infrastructure, revitalizing manufacturing, improving education and access to affordable healthcare, promoting West Virginian values, and demanding that the state government tax and spend smarter. All of these issues are geared towards addressing our job losses, workforce participation rates, migration of our best talent, health outcomes, student success rates, and generational poverty. Obviously, the legislature should be laser-focused on these priorities during every session until we see improvement year-over-year in each category. That should be the agenda. Full stop. But one of the biggest tragedies of the 2026 Legislative Session is Raylee’s Law. This will be the first issue I wish to address. Raylee’s Law is about one simple principle: protecting our children when they are most vulnerable. It closes a dangerous loophole by ensuring that a child cannot be pulled out of school during an active abuse investigation, where teachers and school staff are often the only line of defense. This commonsense measure respects parental rights while putting child safety first—because no child should ever slip through the cracks when help is needed most. If we do not protect the most vulnerable among us—our children and seniors—what good are we? https://ledenews.com/a-qa-with-derek-ennis-the-future-of-west-virginia-is-stronger-than-the-stereotypes/ Read the full article