Brandon Steele (born July 12, 1981) is an American politician who has served as a Delegate from the 29th District to the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2018. He is a Republican.
Early life, education, and career
Steele was born in Beckley, West Virginia to Larry and Donna Steele. He received a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice at Mountain State University in 2004 and his Juris Doctor at Marquette University in 2013. In 2015, he was employed as a private attorney-at-law. In 2016, he was employed as a prosecuting attorney for Raleigh County. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.
Tenure and political positions
Abortion
In July 2022, Steele attempted to pass a ban on all abortions, without exception for rape, incest, or the health or life of the mother, in the House of Delegates, though the ban ultimately did not pass. He opposed amendments on the proposed ban that would have allowed a narrow exception for rape or incest.
Coronavirus
In March 2021, Steele tested positive for COVID-19. Steele experienced minor symptoms and took a leave of absence from the House of Delegates, though refused to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, Steele was the lead sponsor of a bill that would provide a greater exemption from vaccine mandates for private and parochial schools and loosen other requirements for compulsory vaccination.
Criminal code
Steele led the effort to rewrite and modernize the West Virginia criminal code, which many believed to be outdated and ineffective. He was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2017, which would rewrite the code.
Gun control
Steele was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2694, which prevented state police from complying with federal authorities on matters related to gun control. Steele framed the bill as essential to the Second Amendment, stating, "[e]ither you like gun rights or you don't." The bill was later amended by the West Virginia State Senate to specifically inhibit the ability of local law enforcement from complying with gun control executive orders issued by Joe Biden. Steele had an "A " rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund as of 2020 and received their endorsement in his campaign. He also had a 93% rating from the West Virginia Citizen's Defense League, a local gun rights organization, as of 2018.
Worker's rights
Steele voted for Senate Bill 11, a bill that would make it more difficult for employees to strike. He had a 0% rating from the West Virginia AFL–CIO as of 2020.
Elections
2018
In his first primary, Steele defeated fellow Republican Zachary Meador by nearly a 2–1 margin, securing 66.26% of the vote to receive his party's nomination.
In the general election, Steele defeated incumbent Democrat Rick Moye with 52.34% of the vote.
2020
In his first primary since defeating the incumbent Moye, Steele ran unopposed.
Steele's second general election was significantly less competitive, as Steele defeated Democrat Xavier Oglesby with 77.26% of the vote.
Committee assignments
- Government Organization (Chair)
- House Rules
- Small Business and Economic Development
Personal life
Steele is married to Brianne Steele and has five children. He is a Protestant.
Legal Issues
The day before the organizational session of the House on January 8, 2025, an anonymous source provided two 911 tapes from Brianne Steele, Steele's wife, from a December 23, 2024, incident where Steele was reported to be drunk and brandishing weapons outside their Mabscott home.
According to an incident report by the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to Steele’s home on a report of a “intoxicated person” who was outside screaming, claiming someone was driving past his home, and armed with rifles. When deputies arrived, they found Steele with two AR-15 style rifles on his couch.
“Brandon…stated that he has had some recent issues with possible threats toward him regarding trials that he is working on,” wrote the responding officers. “Brandon stated that he observed a vehicle driving slowly past his home and he then exited his home with one of the rifles and approached the vehicle. Brandon stated that the occupants of the vehicle stated that they were looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood.”
Brianne Steele made two 911 calls that night regarding Steele’s behavior. She told deputies that Steele “is extremely paranoid” and “a severe alcoholic.” No charges were brought, with Brianne Steele leaving that night with her children “to allow Brandon to sober up.”
References
