By Stephen Smoot
On Feb. 4, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner announced that “more than 2,600 candidates filed to be part of West Virginia’s May 12th primary election.” The number totaled 2,661 with 2,047 filing for county and municipal offices and 614 for state.
Increasing numbers of town and city elections have synchronized with the county-held primaries after a state law mandating that. Municipalities that have not done so still have some years to implement that change. Franklin is one of the latest round of cities in West Virginia to do so under agreement with Pendleton County.
“There is a lot of interest in seeking party nominations and election at the upcoming Primary Election. It’s encouraging to see so many people who want to become, or remain, public servants,” shared Warner.
Every candidate’s certificate of announcement will be reviewed by State Secretary of State staff for accuracy. Candidates have until Feb. 17 to officially withdraw from a race. After Feb. 17, the State Secretary of State’s office “will be able to certify the final list of candidates.” Within 10 days of filing the certificate of announcement, candidates by law must file a personal financial disclosure statement as well.
For Town of Franklin Mayor, the candidates are Bob Horan, Gordon Ditch, and Tristan Wagoner.
For Town of Frankin Council, the candidates are Andrea Bodine, Jarred Rawson, Kristin Dingress, Therese Thompson, and Larry Thompson.
For Town of Franklin Recorder, Bruce Minor is running unopposed.
For Pendleton County Commission, the candidate for the Eastern District is Carl Hevener of Franklin. He is running unopposed.
For Potomac Valley Conservation Supervisor, the candidate is Charlotte Hoover of Sugar Grove
For Pendleton County Board of Education, the candidates are Jeremy Hedrick, running in the Western District, residing in Upper Tract; Katrina Humphreys Hott, Central District, Franklin; Wilma Pitsenbarger, Central District, Franklin; Marilyn Mae Propst, Central District, Franklin; and J. D. Wilkins, Western District, Riverton.
With three vacancies on the board of education, voters will need to cast ballots for one of the Western District candidates and two candidates from the Central District.
For United States Senate, the candidates are Rachel Fetty Anderson, Thornton Cooper, Jeffrey Kessler, Rio Phillips, Zachary Shrewsbury, Shelley Moore Capito, Alexander Gaaserud, Bryan McKinney, Janet McNulty, David Purkey, and Tom Willis.
For United States House of Representatives, the candidates are Britta Aguire, Vince George, Larry Jackson, and Carol Miller.
For West Virginia State Senate, District 11, the candidates are Richard Facemire, Farukh Khan, Cody Thompson, Shawn Young, Rick Campbell, William Dittman, Rhett Dusenbury, Robert Karnes, Carl Martin, Robbie Morris, and Gregory Murphy.
For West Virginia House of Delegates District 67, the candidates are Mandy Weirich and Les Mallow.
For West Virginia House of Delegates District 86, the candidates are Betsy Orndoff Sayers and Steven Schetrom.
