WHEELING – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is taking his “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here” tour across the nation, and next week he brings his message to Wheeling and other stops in West Virginia.

“I’m glad he is coming to West Virginia because our senators aren’t,” said State Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, referencing U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, both R-W.Va.

Sanders will take the stage at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Capitol Theatre. The following day he will host similar town hall meetings at 1 p.m. at the Lenore Community Center in Mingo County and at 6 p.m. the Charleston Civic Center.

The events are free, but pre-registration is encouraged. This can be achieved at the BernieSanders.com website.

Pushkin, the West Virginia Democratic Party’s chairman, and First Vice Chair Teresa Toriseva both noted the party is not organizing the events in West Virginia for Sanders, I-Vermont. Sanders campaign staff is in charge of arrangements.

They both also pointed out that Sanders carried all 55 West Virginia counties in the 2016 Democratic primary for U.S. president.

“Speaking as first vice chair, we understand he is excited to come to West Virginia and to reconnect with West Virginia’s working class families,” Torseva said. “I expect his message will resonate with working families here.

“He has been here before, and he wants to come back. West Virginia is vast and rural, and people here connect with his message. It is part of his national tour to visit red states and rural states.”

Based on his past town hall discussions, Toriseva expects Sanders to speak about universal health care, abuse of power in government and the cost of groceries.

“These are issues that affect working people,” she said.

She noted it is expected additional speakers could be added at the venue.

“Wheeling is a hot spot, and our geography situates us nicely,” Toriseva continued. “For me, as first vice chair of a state organization, I am pleased to see this kind of visit in West Virginia. Often Wheeling gets forgotten, and it is exciting it is on his map.

“West Virginia’s working class are the people he is talking about in his message nationally. These are the people living their lives and being forgotten by those in Washington.”

One does not need to be a Democrat or Republican to attend Sanders’ events, according to Toriseva. His message “resonates with everybody,” she explained.

“If you live in West Virginia, you know what it means to be forgotten,” she continued. “This is about us not being forgotten. It’s really, really cool.

“Yes, we won’t hear from our national reps. They don’t come, and if they do it is a carefully curated event. This is open to anybody who wants to hear Bernie speak.”

Pushkin also was pleased Sanders was coming to West Virginia.

“We welcome Sen. Sanders to West Virginia,” he said. “We are glad a senator is doing an event here because our delegation hasn’t been doing events. They refuse to do events in their districts.

“We cannot rely on Sens. Capito or Justice to hold any type of public event in the state. They seem to be hiding from the public. I’m glad he is here to listen to citizens’ concerns,” Pushkin noted.