Mandana Ruth Weirich is a Democratic candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates in District 67. She lives in Elkins and works as a service assistant professor in West Virginia University?s School of Social Work. She also coordinates programs in online social work education and gerontology for the school. Weirich previously worked as a police officer and an Adult Protective Services worker. She has described herself as a caregiver, mother, wife of a veteran and daughter of Appalachia. She was Democratic nominee for West Virginia Senate District 11 in 2024 but lost the general election to Republican Robbie Morris. In 2026, she is running for House District 67 against Republican Les Mallow. Her campaign emphasizes affordable healthcare, stronger public schools, economic security, workers? rights and greater local control over development decisions. She says that state government should place the needs of rural residents and working families ahead of large corporate interests.