A Q&A with Beth Hinebaugh: 'People Want to Trust the Person Representing Them'
A fair shot. A chance for growth. A reason to stay.
Thatâs what Beth Hinebaugh believes the people in the 5th House District in Ohio County want most right now for their children and for the future of the city of Wheeling. Thatâs why the Republican is centered on solutions for workforce development, growth and retention, the economy, childcare, and much more.
She insists itâs about making sense.
A new bridge for safetyâs sake? Yup. Support small business owners? Well, she is one after all.
Support teachers, first responders, and every entity that serves, protects, and nurtures the residents in District 5? All are no-brainer issues.
What about keeping the young in the state? Because itâs well known West Virginia has lost thousands of residents over the past couple of decades â some refer to it as the âBrain Drainâ â and Hinebaugh is anxious to work on reversing that trend because her two youngest children are now at THAT age when most high school grads decide to stay or go.
She was a mayoral candidate in Wheeling just two years ago, and sheâs a member of Ohio Countyâs Republican Executive Committee, and thatâs because Hinebaugh feels now is the time to help guide District 5âs most critical decisions.
Thatâs why she believes relationships matter, and sheâs quite aware people are paying attention.
Hinebaugh participated in the Meet & Greet hosted last month by the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee.
What do you appreciate most about the people of District 5?
What I appreciate most about the people of District 5 is their heart and their resilience.
This is a community that shows up for each other. Whether itâs supporting a local fundraiser, helping a neighbor after a flood, or just checking in on someone who needs itâyou see it every day here.
Weâre hardworking people. Many families are juggling multiple jobs, raising kids, caring for loved ones, and still finding time to give back. That says a lot about who we are.
Thereâs also a strong sense of pride in where we come from. People here want to see Wheeling and the surrounding communities grow and succeedânot just for themselves, but for the next generation.
Thatâs something I connect with deeply. Iâve lived itâas a small business owner, a childcare provider, and someone who has worked in public service.
The people here deserve leadership that works just as hard as they do.
Hinebaugh was a Wheeling police officer for several years back in the 1990s.
Why have you decided now is the right time for you to run for elected office?
This decision didnât happen overnightâitâs been building for years.
Through my work as a childcare provider, small business owner, and my background in public service, Iâve seen where things are working and where theyâre falling short. Iâve also spent time in Charleston advocating for childcare, and that experience really opened my eyes to how much more needs to be done.
Iâve watched families struggle to find reliable childcare, businesses struggle to find workers, and communities trying to grow without the infrastructure they need. Those issues are all connectedâand theyâre not getting solved fast enough.
I reached a point where I felt like I could either keep talking about the problems, or step up and be part of the solution.
Iâm not running because I have all the answersâbut I do have real-world experience, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to listen and work with others to get things done.
Right now feels like the right time because our communities canât afford to wait.
W.Va. Secretary of State Kris Warner paid a visit last week to the Hinebaugh and her Noah's Ark Childcare & Learning Center on Wheeling Island.
If your campaign had a theme song, what would it be? Why that tune?
If I had to pick a theme song, it would be âMy Wishâ by Rascal Flatts.
That song is about wanting better opportunities, a brighter future, and meaningful lives for the people you care aboutâand thatâs exactly why Iâm running.
When I think about District 5, I think about families who just want a fair shot. Parents who want to work and provide for their kids. Small business owners who want to grow. Young people who want a reason to stay here and build their lives.
This campaign isnât about politics for meâitâs about people. Itâs about making sure our communities have what they need to thrive.
That song captures that sense of hope and responsibility for building something better.
Not only do Hinebaugh and her husband own and operate their childcare center, but they also own a real estate business and the Fulton Fun Factory in Wheleing.
Do you believe the state should construct a new bridge from downtown Wheeling to Wheeling Island? Why or why not?
I believe this is something our community wants and, more importantly, something we need to seriously consider from a public safety standpoint.
Right now, Wheeling Island essentially has one primary way on and one way off. In an emergencyâwhether itâs a medical situation, a fire, or floodingâthat creates real concerns. It can increase response times for first responders and delay access to hospitals, which is something no community should have to worry about.
We also have the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge that has now been permanently converted to a pedestrian-only bridge, meaning itâs no longer an option for vehicle traffic. That makes access even more limited and highlights the need to look at long-term solutions.
At the same time, a project like a new bridge is a major investment, so it has to be approached responsibly. We need to look at cost, long-term impact, and how it fits into our broader infrastructure needs.
For me, this comes down to balance. We need to prioritize safety and accessibility while also being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
If a new bridge can improve emergency response, support our community, and make sense financially, then itâs absolutely something worth moving forward.
Although Hinebaugh is uncontested in the District 5 GOP Primary, she has been busy meeting as many potential constituents as possible this spring.
What do you believe people want most from their state representatives?
I think, more than anything, people want someone who is present, honest, and willing to listen.
They want to feel like their concerns actually matterâand that their representative understands what their day-to-day life looks like.
People are tired of politics that feels disconnected from reality. They want someone who shows up in the community, answers their calls, and follows through on what they say theyâll do.
They also want results. Not promisesâresults. Whether itâs improving infrastructure, supporting small businesses, or addressing issues like childcare and workforce shortages, people want to see progress.
And I think they want someone who can work with others to get things done. Not everything has to be a fight. If we canât have conversations and find common ground, nothing moves forward.
At the end of the day, people want to trust the person representing themâand know that person is working for them.