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OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. – Small business owner and first responder advocate Teresa Toriseva has announced plans to run for the West Virginia House of Delegates.
Toriseva was born and raised in the Northern Panhandle, graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University and from the West Virginia University College of Law. Toriseva spent 10 years practicing law in Charleston before returning to Wheeling where she raised her family and founded her own firm, Toriseva Law.
“I use the courtroom to advocate for people and the causes that I care about,” Toriseva said. “And this will add another place that I can advocate for people while I continue to practice law full time.”
With her background in small business Toriseva said she plans to visit each small business in District 4. As the owner of her own small business, Toriseva said she wants to encourage growth in one of the most important sectors of the state economy.
“Visit those in this district and listen,” Toriseva said. “I plan to make that a legislative priority. How does government get out of the way?”
Toriseva has represented police and fire departments throughout the state and wants to continue to improve working conditions and pay for first responders.
“Another legislative priority for me, and this will come as a surprise to no one, will be first responders and their work,” Toriseva said. ” And continuing to advocate on behalf and for first responders.”
As of now, Toriseva appears to be the only Democrat running in District 4. If no names are added to the list, Toriseva would face six-term District 4 Delegate Erica Storch.
“I think I’m just like a lot people that consider running for office,” Toriseva said. ” It’s a long term proposition and you think a long time before you do it.”
Toriseva said she is very excited to talk to voters, meet with business owners and advocate for the people in District 4.
” There’s an excitement- there is something building in the West Virginia Democratic party that I have not seen before and it’s from the ground up,” Toriseva said.