As a young investor, I am interested in your thoughts on cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and digital markets? – Joe (Charleston, WV)

Governor Justice: I’m learning more and more about cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and all these new technologies. We have supported Bitcoin miners in West Virginia. There are several locations near coal-fired power plants, and coal-fired electricity is being used to mine Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in West Virginia.

America has a tremendous opportunity with the innovation and technology around artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cryptocurrencies. As elected leaders, we must ensure a digital market structure that protects Americans from bad actors but allows these innovators to flourish and create new and exciting technology and opportunities.

The last thing we need is the federal government overreaching and putting financial privacy, freedom, and digital markets at risk, especially with something like a central bank digital currency that would permit the federal government the ability to surveil and restrict Americans’ financial transactions.

I support a clear regulatory framework for these exciting digital assets that allows entrepreneurs to innovate, flourish, and achieve their full potential.

Can America be energy independent, and if so, how? – Blake (Wheeling, WV)

Governor Justice: We need an “all of the above” comprehensive energy plan that creates American jobs and leads us toward energy independence.

I know more about energy and energy production than anything else. My family has been in the coal business for decades, and we own coal mining operations. I’ve been a fierce advocate for West Virginia energy and am proud to have worked with President Trump to put thousands of coal miners back to work.

We’ve been dependent on foreign oil for too long, and the consequences have been enormous. Dependence on energy is a threat to both our national security and our economic security. America’s energy policy must begin with energy independence as our primary goal – and energy independence cannot be achieved without West Virginia coal, oil, and natural gas.

What are your thoughts on the situation at the Southern Border? – Lisa (Lewisburg, WV)

Governor Justice: The Biden Border Crisis is getting worse and worse every day. Our border patrol is overwhelmed, and in West Virginia, we are seeing the effects of drugs and crime. Just look at the meth and opioid epidemics happening right here at home.

President Biden halted construction of the border wall, reinstated the failed policy of catch-and-release, and most disastrously, ended the ‘Remain in Mexico’ international agreement that had resulted in the lowest level of illegal immigration in 45 years.

Our first job is to secure our border and stop the flow of illegal immigration. I support funding and building the wall along the entire Southern Border.