Steven Wendelin
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in West Virginia
WV-02 Democratic nominee?
$16.4K
MAY 13, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — WV-02 Democratic nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$16.4KMAY 13, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Navy officer (Commander, retired)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyConservative Democrat
GenderMale
LocationWest Virginia
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BackgroundU.S. Navy officer (Commander, retired)
EducationCalifornia Maritime Academy — B.S. (1990)
Notable personal detailsSteven M. Wendelin is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He is a retired U.S. Navy officer who retired at the rank of Commander in September 2023 after serving on active duty and in the reserves, with overseas assignments including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned a B.S. from the California Maritime Academy (1990) and later completed graduate degrees at Marine Corps University (2007) and the National Defense University (2014).
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports limiting tax giveaways to the very wealthy, strengthening Social Security (including removing the payroll tax income cap), protecting social programs like Medicaid, and addressing national debt caused by policies favoring the rich.
Healthcare
Supports establishing universal healthcare with no deductibles, ending surprise billing, and restructuring health insurance as non‑profit. Prioritizes protecting and expanding rural hospitals and cracking down on private‑equity ownership of healthcare. Emphasizes fully funded veterans’ healthcare and opposing VA privatization.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports immigration system reform with an emphasis on enforcement and administration—calling for immigrants to be documented and to pay taxes and noting that immigration courts and Homeland Security are understaffed. His campaign materials do not articulate support for broad regularization or a pathway to citizenship on the platform pages reviewed.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as pro-choice, supports codifying the right to abortion, and says decisions about abortion should be left to the individual, their family, and their health care provider. He has said he is fine with people not wanting tax dollars used for abortion but believes abortion rights should have been codified earlier.
Climate & Energy
The candidate supports addressing climate change (listed “reversing climate change” among priorities) and wants the EPA involved in protecting waterways, while describing himself as a fiscal conservative and moderate. Public statements emphasize pragmatic, bipartisan approaches rather than specific aggressive climate policies.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures including universal background checks, required secure storage, criminal liability when firearms are used in crimes or suicides, and other gun-control policies such as red-flag–style interventions while framing these as responsibilities that accompany gun rights.
Latest News
Steven Wendelin is being mentioned in coverage of the 2026 election cycle, but the summaries provide little direct detail about his own campaign. The main recent development is that House Democrats have expanded their target map for Republican-held House seats, signaling a broader push to win control of the chamber. Other reports focus on primary and redistricting developments across several states, but do not give specific new information about Wendelin himself.
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Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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