By Stephen Smoot
On Feb 4, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner announced “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, however. Wardensville’s Town elections will be held in conjunction with the primary run by Hardy County on the same days and in normal county election polling locations.
“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.
Additionally, those who favor early voting now have another option for polling. In its first meeting in February, the Hardy County Commission approved naming the Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority in Baker as an additional early voting location. The Commission released that the purpose lay in giving “Hardy County residents in the eastern part of the county a closer, more convenient place to cast their ballots.”
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.
Candidates who filed in City of Wardensville election, on May 12 in conjunction with that of Hardy County, include Betsy Orndoff-Sayers for Mayor, Charlotte Bowman and Edward Klinovski for Town Council
For County Commission, the candidates are Sherri Hof of Capon, Justin M. Evans of Moorefield, and Michael P. Phillips from Old Fields, and Shawna M. Crites of Old Fields.
For Conservation Supervisor, the candidate is Ronald L. Miller running unopposed..
For Hardy County Clerk, the candidates are Loretta Humberson and Trevor Southerly.
For Hardy County Prosecutor, the candidate is Robert Ryan
For Hardy County Board of Education, the candidates are Samantha Dennis of South Fork, Melvin F. Shook Jr. of Lost River, Daniel (D.J.) Taylor of Old Fields, Mark Ray of Old Fields, Dixie T. Bean of Old Fields, John Rosato of Lost River, Dallas Wilkins of Lost River, Nathan R. Delawder of Lost River, Sara Maphis of Capon, and Ed A. Cole of Moorefield.
For West Virginia State Senate District 14, the candidates are Jason Armentrout of Keyser, Mark Harman of Petersburg, Mike Manypenny of Grafton and Jay Taylor of Grafton.
For West Virginia House of Delegates District 86, the candidates are Betsy Orndoff-Sayers and Steven Schetrom.
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 Ace Parsi, Stephanie Spears Tomani, Steven Wendelin, and Riley Moore.
