Born in Guatemala to American parents, Elias Coop-Gonzalez looked to the United States as a beacon of freedom and opportunity at a young age. Having spent his adolescence in Central America, Elias’s perspective helped him realize the importance of preserving America and the values that make her great.

At age 13, he moved to West Virginia.

Elias got involved locally, serving as a lifeguard for three years while in high school and as a volunteer for Congressman Alex X. Mooney’s campaigns. While he was there, Congressman Mooney encouraged Elias to take a Leadership Institute training.

During President Trump’s campaign in 2020, he was the youngest member of the West Virginia Delegation to the Republican National Convention, serving as an alternative delegate from the 2nd Congressional District. After the Convention, Elias interned for Congressman Mooney and completed The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program.

Elias served as Leadership Institute’s Digital Training Intern in Spring 2021 before joining the staff full-time as Deputy Assistant to the President. In 2022, West Virginia’s country roads called Elias home to run for State House in the Mountain State’s 67th district. 

Elias employed the skills and tactics he learned volunteering for Congressman Mooney and working at Leadership Institute to defeat his two-term progressive opponent by a decisive 60% to 40% — what they call a whoopin’ in West Virginia.

Crediting his experience with Leadership Institute, Elias says: 

“Seeing the dire need for successful leaders in the public policy process, the importance of the Leadership Institute’s mission is more apparent than ever. I won because I knew how to — and I have the Leadership Institute to thank for that.”