By Stephen Smoot
In the past week, snowstorms and frigid temperatures reminded Pendleton County that the winter season has fully settled in. A blizzard of filings at the Pendleton County Clerk’s office reminds all that another season has commenced, that of political campaigning.
County Clerk Elise White shared that the resignation of Teresa Heavner from the Pendleton County Board of Education broadened the number of opportunities available for would-be candidates to run for office. This makes two separate seats for board of education available. One is for the full term and the other for the unexpired term for the seat opened by Heavner’s resignation.
As of Monday, two have filed to run for county commission, Roger Dahmer and Travis Moyers, both of Franklin.
April Mallow from Upper Tract filed for county prosecuting attorney.
Bradley Kimble from Franklin filed to run for Pendleton County Sheriff.
Sandie Huffman Smith of Franklin is running for county assessor.
In division one for magistrate judge, Morgan Basagic of Franklin and Jeremy Bodkin from Upper Tract have filed thus far. Kevin Puffenberger of Upper Tract filed for division two.
For the full-term board of education seat, Pat Godfrey of Sugar Grove, Betty Kimble of Brandywine, and Sonny O’Neil from Seneca Rocks have all filed.
Charles Burgoyne, II, and Wilma “Miss Pitts” Pitsenbarger, both of Franklin, filed for the unexpired term.
White said that the final day to file would be Jan. 27. Since that date falls on a Saturday, White will open the county clerk’s office from 9 a.m. to noon to allow candidates to file.
Information about any race in West Virginia can be accessed online at the West Virginia Secretary of State Office’s website.
