After leaving elected office, West became President and CEO of the Greater Stark County Urban League.

[1] A licensed social worker, West also owned and operated several small businesses before entering politics.

He holds a bachelor's degree from the Mount Union College, and received his Masters in Social Work from the University of Akron.

West increased his margin of victory in his 2018 reelection, defeating Republican candidate James Haavisto 58% to 42%.

[8] In the 2022 election, West lost his re-election bid to Republican candidate Jim Thomas.