West Virginia Education Freedom & New Election Reforms: ALEC National Chair Patricia Rucker on The Hugh Hewitt Show
"It is our role as state legislators to ensure all of our state residents choose and get the best education they can possibly get."
Appearing on The Hugh Hewitt Show, ALEC National Chair and West Virginia State Sen. Patricia Rucker discussed the upcoming ALEC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, her efforts to promote universal school choice in West Virginia, and highlighted West Virginia’s 2025 election reforms.
At the start of the interview, Rucker expressed excitement about the ALEC convention, looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues.
“It is going to be just a great meeting, like it always is, and I look forward to seeing all my friends there,” said Rucker.
Hewitt then discussed the rapid spread of universal school choice, noting that West Virginia was the first state to adopt it, and credits Rucker for her initiative. Rucker explained that other states’ school choice initiatives inspired her to push for universal school choice in West Virginia, emphasizing the importance of equal educational opportunities for all students.
“We were able to do what I think is what every state should do, which is to treat all students equally,” Rucker emphasized. “They’re all important, and it is our role as state legislators to ensure all of our state residents choose and get the best education they can possibly get.”
The interview then shifted to West Virginia’s election reforms, with Rucker highlighting the state’s history of election corruption and the recent passage of voter ID laws. She also emphasized the importance of voter ID laws, noting her personal commitment to ensuring only eligible voters cast ballots.
“We have been wanting for a long time to really tighten up our laws and have a much better, fair, transparent system,” Rucker noted. “This year in West Virginia, we actually got quite a few bills through and I’m very, very happy I was finally able to get through the voter ID laws.”
The interview concluded with Hewitt wishing Rucker good luck at the ALEC convention and expressing his admiration for her work and dedication.