Joshua Hamby for West Virginia

05/23/2026

First off — thank you all so much for the incredible support during this primary campaign! After taking a short break and finally getting a good nap 😅, I’m ready to get back to work for southern West Virginia.

Team Josh is now 2,209 members strong, with 1,486 voters, and 717 followers on social media. That may not sound huge to some folks, but to me it represents something powerful: people who believe southern West Virginia deserves to be heard and fought for.

I will continue advocating for clean water, stronger public education, economic development in the southern coalfields, healthcare freedom, and affordable, reliable childcare for working families.

I’m proud to say that in the 2026 Democratic primary, we won 3 out of 4 counties in the district — McDowell, Mingo, and Wayne Counties. While we came up just short in Mercer County by fewer than 300 votes, this campaign proved that our movement is growing stronger every single day.

This wasn’t the end of anything — it was the beginning of something bigger. The primary may be over, but the work continues. Southern West Virginia deserves leaders who will keep showing up, keep fighting, and keep believing in our future.

Thank you all again for standing with me. Now let’s keep building together. ❤️

05/13/2026

Well friends, the votes are in, and while this campaign didn’t end with a trip to the State Senate, it did end with a full heart, a lot of gratitude, and only a few new gray hairs.

First and foremost, congratulations to Wyatt Lilly and Lilly For WV . Campaigns can be tough, but our community is stronger when people step up and participate in the process, and I respect everyone who made their voice heard.

I want to give special thanks to Morgan Hamby, Bob Gardner, Shirley Vincigueerra, Kathy Easley, and especially my family, and countless others who stood by me through every long day, late night, and “just one more campaign stop.” I truly could not have done this without you.

To every supporter, volunteer, donor, friend, and voter who believed in this campaign: thank you. Whether you knocked doors, shared a post, made a phone call, put up a sign, or simply offered encouragement, you helped make this journey meaningful.

While we may have come up short on election night, I still believe deeply in this community and the people who call it home. Public service doesn’t begin or end with a title, and I’m not done caring, speaking up, or showing up.

For now, though, I’m looking forward to eating food that didn’t come from a campaign event buffet, some much needed rest before the next chapter, and finally answering texts with something other than “Can I call you after Election Day?”

It is time now to unify the party. Please support Wyatt as he enters the next level.

Thank you all again. I’m grateful beyond words.

05/11/2026

ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW!!! 💙

This campaign in the southern coalfields has truly changed my life. The people I’ve met, the stories I’ve heard, and the fight we’ve shared for a better future is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

This election is about clean water, strong public education, affordable healthcare, good jobs, and making sure our communities are finally heard.

Tomorrow, vote BLUE and help us move the southern coalfields forward together!

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mothers Day to these true blue mountain mamas! You are truly the glue that holds us together! I love you all very much!

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there!!

05/10/2026

In this full-length interview, Josh Hamby, candidate for West Virginia Senate District 6, sits down to discuss why he decided to run, what motivated him to s...

05/10/2026

Yesterday I went out Wayne to Dunlow Elementary and Laurel Park in Mingo County! This campaign isn't stopping till the polls close on Tuesday! Early voting is over but remember to vote for Joshua Hamby on May 12th!

05/10/2026

Thank you!

The Appalachian Times and Appalachia First are proud to endorse Joshua Hamby for Senate District 6 in WV.

For too long, the people of Appalachia have watched politicians make promises every election cycle while our communities continue to lose jobs, lose population, lose infrastructure, and lose hope. Meanwhile corporations and outside interests continue taking from this region while giving very little back to the people who actually live here.

Josh Hamby represents a different kind of leadership.

He understands that West Virginians are tired of being treated like an afterthought while basic issues like clean water, affordable housing, healthcare access, childcare, and decent paying jobs remain out of reach for thousands of working families. He understands that our people do not want handouts. They want opportunity, dignity, stability, and leaders willing to fight for them instead of corporate donors.

Josh believes Appalachia should control its own future. That means investing in our workers, rebuilding our communities, strengthening public education, supporting unions, protecting local resources, and making sure economic development actually benefits the people who already live here instead of outside corporations looking to exploit cheap land and cheap labor.

At a time when many politicians are afraid to challenge powerful interests, Josh Hamby has shown he is willing to stand up for working people and speak honestly about the struggles facing this state. He understands that if West Virginia is going to survive and grow, we must start putting our own communities first again.

This endorsement is not about empty partisan politics. It is about supporting leaders who genuinely care about Appalachia and are willing to fight for its future.

The Appalachian Times and Appalachia First proudly stand with Josh Hamby.