Joseph Golden
Democratic · WV
A retired family physician who spent more than 45 years in family medicine in underserved communities and still volunteers at a free clinic. He lives in Beckley and focuses on rural health care, public schools, and household costs.
Where Joseph Golden stands, based on their records
Supports
Healthcare Affordability (1 record), Environment and Public Health (2 records)
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Healthcare Affordability
Healthcare Affordability · 1 support
Joined West Virginia health-care providers in urging the state attorney general to withdraw from litigation seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, citing risks to coverage, rural providers, preexisting-condition protections, prescription benefits, and black-lung benefits.
September 14, 2020Supports Healthcare Affordability
Source: wvcag.org
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 2 support
Opposed religious exemptions from West Virginia's school vaccination requirements, arguing that appropriate vaccination prevents communicable diseases and protects children and the community.
July 24, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: wvmetronews.com
Opposed weakening West Virginia's human-health water-quality criteria, warning that allowing higher levels of persistent toxic chemicals would increase human exposure and health risks.
September 6, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: dep.wv.gov
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 oppose
Joined West Virginia health-care providers in urging the state attorney general to withdraw from litigation seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, citing risks to coverage, rural providers, preexisting-condition protections, prescription benefits, and black-lung benefits.
September 14, 2020Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: wvcag.org
Track record — General
General · 6 records
Received WESPAC's 2026 primary endorsement for House District 45 based on the medical association PAC's stated priorities of patient safety, access to care, and physician-led care.
March 17, 2026
Source: wvsma.org
As president of Temple Beth El, organized and led Beckley's annual Yom Hashoah commemoration honoring Holocaust victims and survivors.
April 27, 2025
Source: wvva.com
Helped research and preserve the history of a Civil War-era Passover Seder and participated in dedicating a Fayetteville interpretive marker recognizing Jewish Union soldiers.
April 3, 2023
Source: rbhayes.org
Was listed by the West Virginia Board of Medicine as a supervising physician for a physician assistant at his Sophia practice.
December 31, 2013
Source: wvlegislature.gov
Established his own medical practice in southern West Virginia after working at community health centers in Cabin Creek and Beckley.
December 31, 1984
Source: tacf.org
Graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and later completed a family-medicine residency and a master's degree in public health at Johns Hopkins.
May 31, 1975
Source: tacf.org
Past race Joseph Golden ran in:
- House of Delegates - District 45 · November 3, 2026 · Delegate District 45; West Virginia