Joseph Golden

Joseph Golden is the Democratic candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates, District 45, in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Republican Eric Brooks and independent write-in candidate Christopher Ratliff.[1][3] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as a family physician who practiced for more than 40 years in Raleigh and Fayette Counties.[2]

Joseph Golden was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, and, according to Ballotpedia, earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1970 and an M.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1975.[1] Ballotpedia also lists coursework at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 1979.[1] He has been affiliated with the West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation and the Raleigh County Commission on Aging.[1]

In a Ballotpedia survey, Golden said he has practiced family medicine for more than 40 years in Raleigh and Fayette Counties and, though mostly retired, volunteers two days a month at Beckley Health Right.[2] He listed state-funded student loan reduction for teachers, nurses, social workers and first responders who commit to five years of work in West Virginia, and raising the minimum wage to $12.00 an hour, among his priorities.[2] He was unopposed in the May 12, 2026 Democratic primary.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.