He is the son of Dr. Mark Simpson, DDS, and Connie Simpson. After over a dozen years on Active Duty in the United States Army he has returned home to West Virginia. A central figure in Cory’s life is his grandfather, Fred Wright, a West Virginia coal miner and power plant worker. Grandpa Fred instilled in Cory these words of wisdom: “It is easy to make a dollar, but it’s hard to make a difference.” Those words have led Cory throughout his life and inspired him to a life of service. Shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Cory decided to join the military. After graduating WVU College of Law, Cory began his career with the United States Army as a Judge Advocate (JAG). Cory is airborne qualified and has earned numerous military awards and decorations through his service, including the Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He is an accomplished prosecutor and legal advisor with a broad range of experience in federal responses to domestic crisis; international law, with an emphasis on counter-terrorism; and federal criminal law. After spending almost five years overseas in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including 19 months in combat working with our nation’s elite Airborne and Special Forces, Cory has a firsthand knowledge and understanding of the challenges we face abroad. In his final assignment on active duty, Cory served at the Pentagon as an advisor to the National Commission on the Future of the Army, an independent, nonpartisan committee appointed by the President and Congress. During this time, Cory saw just how dysfunctional Congress had become, and how their dysfunction threatens the security of our country. Recalling the words of his grandfather, “It is easy to make a dollar, but it’s hard to make a difference,” he has decided to run for Congress so he can continue serving our state and nation making a difference for both.
“Our Congress is broken,” he said. “Many in Congress are more worried about politics and posturing than leadership and governance. is broken, and we must work together to fix it. I understand team work, service above self, and a commitment to the cause to make a difference. Cory currently serves as a Major in the Army Reserve and lives in Charleston. He is blessed to be married to Dr. Meagan McGinley Simpson, an active duty Army doctor completing her residency at Walter Reed National Medical Center. Cory and Meagan have a giant, loving dog, Woobie.
