Erik Wells
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Erik Wells is an American politician and former television news anchor. Wells was born and raised in California but moved to West Virginia in the early 1990s to further his career in journalism. Wells was a popular co-anchor in the state's capital, Charleston, while on a morning show called Good Morning, West Virginia with his wife Natalie Tennant on WCHS TV.
After leaving television news, Wells and his wife decided to pursue political careers. Wells was the Democratic nominee for West Virginia's Second Congressional District. Wells campaigned aggressively against incumbent Shelley Moore Capito and pointed out her hypocrisy in only agreeing to one debate due to the fact that in the 2000 Congressional Campaign she urged her opponent, trial lawyer Jim Humphreys, to debate in every county in the Congressional district. Despite a stronger than expected showing, Capito maintained her seat.
In the primary, Wells' wife Natalie contended for the Secretary of State slot and came in second to Ken Hechler.
In 2006, Wells was elected to the WV State Senate, representing the 8th District. He defeated Charleston lawyer and former WVU football letterman Mark Plants in the general election.