By Ammie Ruddle
The Primary Election took place on May 10 throughout the state of West Virginia. Pendleton County reported a “low turnout” for voting in this election, according to Elise Miller White, county clerk, with only 10.88% of the county’s 4,862 registered voters showing up to cast their ballot.
Of the percentage of voters that showed up, 16.03% (290) were Republican registered voters and 13.37% (232) were Democratic registered voters.
Unofficial Republican winners in the primary include:
Congresswoman Carol Miller took the lead in the primary for U.S. House of Representatives 1st District.
Bill Hamilton ran unopposed for State Senator in the 11th district.
Elias Coop-Gongzalez ran unopposed for the member of the House Delegates in the 67th delegate district.
Bryan C. Ward ran unopposed for member of the House of Delegates in the 86th delegate district.
Lindsay Bever won over Amy Karnes by less than 1% for the Republican State Executive Committee, 11th district female.
Carl “Robbie” Martin won over Robert Karnes by less than 2% for the Republican State Executive Committee, 11th district male.
Gene McConnell won in the Republican primary for county commissioner.
The unofficial Democratic winners in the primary are as follows:
Lacy Watson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives 1st District.
Cody H Thompson ran unopposed for Democratic member of the House of Delegates in the 67th delegate district.
Jameson Paul Freeman won over Bradley “BJ” Rinard by 3% in the Democratic primary for member of the House of Delegates in the 86th delegate district.
Brenda Weese took the win for Democratic State Executive Committee, 11th district female.
Cody H. Thompson won for Democratic State Executive Committee, 11th district male.
Shalee Dunkle Wilburn ran unopposed for Democratic Circuit Clerk.
Elise Miller White ran unopposed for Democratic County Clerk.
JD Wilkins won with 400 votes for the nonpartisan Board of Education, followed by Teresa Walker Heavner who acquired 372 votes.
Last, was Charles F. Burgoyne II, who ended the election with 309 votes.
Charlotte R. Hoover took Conservative District Supervisor.
Offices that have been determined in the Primary Election are the executive committee offices, conservation district supervisor, and board of education offices. Burgoyne, who is currently a county commissioner, cannot hold two offices, therefore, a new board of education member will be appointed in the fall general election.
Official results were scheduled to be revealed on Tuesday, May 17, following canvassing of the votes on May 16. White stated she expects a higher turnout for the general election in November. She speculated on the reasons for a low voter turnout, including the redistricting of the county. White stated, “Many voters expressed they did not know anything about the candidates.” She went on to say, “None of the candidates bothered to visit the county.”
However, long-time election precinct worker Katie George stated she expects the fall General Election to be a “real humdinger.”
