U.S.A.
John Raese graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in education and became the President and CEO of Greer Industries, a steel and limestone producer. He has also held leadership roles in media, including ownership of The Dominion Post, West Virginia Radio Corporation, and MetroNews radio network. Raese has experience in political leadership, having served as chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. His diverse business and media experience, combined with his political leadership, establish a foundation of expertise in both the private and public sectors.
John Raese combines a radical free-market ideology with a surprising alignment on certain social issues, such as supporting the now-defunct Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. His business background and ownership of media outlets lend a unique, highly localized perspective to his political advocacy. Raese's legislative proposals, including the elimination of federal minimum wage and several government departments, reflect an ideologically agile approach that juxtaposes extreme economic libertarianism with socially conservative stances.