Ryan Cledith Elkins is a Democrat running for the West Virginia House of Delegates in District 30. He is from Hamlin in Lincoln County and is a first-time candidate for elected office. Elkins has a background in recovery advocacy and community outreach. He founded the Lincoln County Community Outreach Program, a nonprofit organization focused on helping people in his community. He has also worked with Marshall University?s Collegiate Recovery Community, where he has supported students dealing with substance use and recovery. Elkins earned a degree in substance abuse counseling and later completed a bachelor?s degree in social work. His personal experience with recovery has played a major role in his community work. During his campaign, Elkins has focused on issues including addiction and recovery services, mental health, education, health care, roads and infrastructure, clean water and support for working families. He describes himself as someone who wants to bring more attention to the needs of Lincoln County. Elkins won the Democratic nomination for District 30 and will face Republican incumbent Jeff Eldridge in the November general election.