WHEELING — For David H. McKinley, “quality” among legislators at the West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston is more important than having “majority” rule there.

He also questions whether the current Republican-controlled Legislature has the best priorities in mind as it considers bills this session.

McKinley, a Wheeling-based certified financial planner, has founded two related Mountaineer Freedom Alliance committees with the following mission — “fortifying the state’s economy, creating job opportunities, and establishing a future that retains and attracts its residents.”

“It’s all about jobs. It’s all about advancing the economy,” he said. “I have little interest in turning to the more divisive social issues that do nothing to advance our economy.”

McKinley has a deep connection to the Mountain State, as well as a connection to its political landscape. The eighth-generation West Virginian is the son of former U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-West Virginia, who also spent 14 years in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

“For many, many years I watched the Republican Party in West Virginia in a minority position and unable to affect legislation,” the younger McKinley explained. “Over the years, we kept picking up legislative seats. … The party was focused on the quantity of Republican legislators, and I started thinking about the quality of legislators.”

He added he wanted to start a political action group effort then, but business and family obligations distracted his attention.

“Then I thought, if I don’t do it now when am I going to do it,” McKinley said. “We kicked it off, and I think we can make an impact.

“I began talking to a lot of people, and I found a lot of them thought similarly in that they thought legislative priorities were not focused on advancing the economy and creating jobs.”

The Alliance’s core principles encompass the following:

∫ Private property and business — The cornerstone of personal liberty, job creation, and the development of robust communities.

∫ Practicality — A well-functioning democracy prioritizes economic growth over partisan politics, according to McKinley.

∫ Prudence — Advocacy for low taxes, minimal government intervention, and resistance to policies that compromise the state’s economic stability.

∫ Pride — Upholding the people and traditions that have shaped West Virginia’s historical and future trajectory.

∫ Personal responsibility — Emphasis on hard work, humility, and the right to make autonomous decisions without excessive government interference.

McKinley emphasized that “Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all have a role to play in focusing West Virginians on working together to grow our economy, (while) not being distracted by issues that divide us.”

He explained the roles of the two Mountaineer Freedom Alliance financial organizations he founded.

The first is registered as a 501(c)(4) group under a section of the U.S. federal income tax code. The “dark money” group is allowed to engage in lobbying, political, and campaign activities and doesn’t have to disclose its donors.

The second, Mountaineer Freedom Alliance Action Fund, is a “super PAC,” McKinley noted. This distinction allows the group to financially support a particular political candidate or party.

Financial information filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office show the Mountaineer Freedom Alliance Action Fund taking in $235,000 in donations since April 2024 — with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce contributing $135,000 and McKinley adding an additional $100,000.

Total expenditures were listed at $190,147.

Money in this PAC can be spent both for in-state and federal campaigns.

“But my focus right now is within the state,” he said. “I have a great desire to see more of our legislative efforts focus on improving the economy and improving jobs.

“While our efforts could influence the federal level, let’s start at home in the West Virginia Legislature.”

McKinley started the Mountaineer Freedom Alliance committees prior to the 2024 primary election. He reports success so far during this year’s legislative session.

He pointed to efforts this session to successfully halt legislation that would have loosened vaccine requirements for school children.

“Quite frankly, we didn’t think that was an appropriate (legislative) action to take,” McKinley said. “So we ran a campaign to educate people about the issue.”

McKinley said he also lobbied against legislation put forth by Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey to exempt micro-hospitals from certificate of need requirements. The bill died in the House Health Committee last week.

“As it relates to specific legislators, we will fund and support those who need to be re-elected, and those who have a history of focussing on pro-jobs legislation,” McKinley explained. “We may also support candidates to replace those who have not been job-focussed legislatively.

“We want to be more active and vocal now as we prepare for the 2026 election.”

The committees will be seeking out candidates for races, he acknowledged.

“I think there are a variety of people involved in the process, and we would like to contribute to the process, ” McKinley said. “(We will support) those that we think are driving the economy forward and creating jobs in West Virginia.

“And how do we keep our children and young adults at home? We need to have employment opportunities here, and we would like to have candidates who share that focus.”