WHEELING, W.Va. — Cheers and applause shook the walls of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling on Friday night as hundreds of mountaineers welcomed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on his ongoing “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.

Some in the crowd sported red bandanas, signifying mine workers’ labor organizing efforts in the state in the early 20th century, while others wore ‘’Fight the Oligarchy’ T-shirts purchased from vendors outside. A sea of pompoms waved in the air as ‘“Power to the People’’ blared from theater speakers.

“Whoever said West Virginia was a conservative state?” Mr. Sanders stated. “Somebody got it wrong.”

The Vermont Independent chose Wheeling to launch the latest leg of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour — part of a push into “deep red” and rural communities ahead of the 2026 midterm electi

See Full Page